BLACK WATCH - NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND

 

 

At age sixteen playwright Gregory Burke saw his first play or rather half a play because he and the “lads’ laughed it off the stage. The play was Glass Menagerie. His life growing up in the rough streets of Fife taught him how to fit in with the Lads.  In 2004 he interviewed a group of soldiers who were part of the legendary Black Watch regiment who had fought in Fallouja in Iraq. The result is the brilliant Black Watch currently playing at the Freud Playhouse as part of UCLA Live. Let me say now GO SEE IT; its one of the best theatrical experiences you will have this or any other year.

Life in Iraq turns out to be boring as they watch Americans bomb the hell out of a village for four hours only to kill two insurgents. They begin to ask why they are there and why they must put on a show to prove they love being there. The regiment has a long and honorable history that is vividly portrayed through an extended routine where one of the cadets is dressed and undressed by his mates to represent the passage of time and what the regiment did historically. Iraq gives them pause especially now that the regiment is being disbanded. They end up doubting their purpose, each other, the command and ultimately, war itself.  Director John Tiffany directs masterfully, using the young male cast to demonstrate the tension, boredom, anger, frustration, and compassion, Much is this is conveyed through vigorous movement: marching, wrestling, running, and play. The cast is remarkable in their physical as well as emotional range. The play ends with the tragic death of three cadets when the unit is deployed to the north to a far more dangerous area where they must try to deal with and understand suicide bombers.

The cast, the direction and most importantly the play will leave a lasting impression on anyone who can get a ticket GO! GO! GO!

FREUD PLAYHOUSE UCLA as part of UCLALIVE. 310 825 2101 until Oct 14t