You could see it here first folks! This new and well-resourced production had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe. Only the brave would bet against this stupendously powerful and moving piece of musical theatre making its way to the west end.
Based on true events and set in the second world war, this production starts with a bang and fairly sizzles through 75 mins of drama. Only the Brave is no sanitised version of war time events, and the audience is left in no doubt that happy endings were few and far between.
This is a strong and able cast with Gerard Bentall outstanding as the captain, effectivly supported by Cassidy Janson as his wife and Tom Solomon as his lieutenant. Dalkeith's Keith Jack plays the reluctant soldier, Scot Charlie Lockhart, with credibility building on his success as the narrator in Joseph. Niamh Perry, one of the youngest of the finalists in the tv hunt for Nancy in Oliver, turns in an assured performance in what is her professional debut. Director Steve Marmion uses the lofts to good effect in this production and the device of using the handing in of identity discs to mark the mounting death toll is particularly effective.
Everything about this production is excellent and the producers mention that the show is eligible for a Fringe First and it certainly is a contender! The cd on sale has one track as a work in progress and I suspect that the writer and composer realise that to move to a bigger stage the show needs to be slightly longer. Also, the characters of Charlie and Belle need to be developed, especially if Keith Jack and Niamh Perry are to feature so heavily in the publicity. Visit youtube to see the cast in rehearsal.
Time: 18:15 Dates: 31 July-25 August, Mon-Sun (exc 5 and 11 Aug)
Extra performances: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 Aug at 18:45