Truce and trauma

Dec 5 2008 by Naomi Dunning, Flintshire Chronicle

Truce and trauma

SILENT Night is a gripping musical play which brings home the trauma, the humour and the tragedy of the First World War.

The Theatre in the Quarter production, which combines the talents of both professional actors and a community choir, focuses on one Chester family’s experience of the war from the initial shots at a Duke in Serbia to fighting on the front line.

At the centre of the play is the well known tale of the Christmas truce, where both German and British soldiers laid down their weapons to play a game of football.

It is the superb performances of the four professional actors and their gripping portrayal of life in the trenches who really make this production come to life and it is guaranteed to make any audience member well-up.

Jay McWinen was an excellent Walter, irritatingly loved-up at first but soon terrified and traumatised on the battle field. Thomas Latham and Paul Dabek’s portrayal of brothers Thomas and Joe excellently depicts their youthful energy disappear to an existence of survival. Elizabeth Bassham skilfully manages to cross the boundary between a concerned and angry sister to the role of a soldier in a battlefield.

It is, however, not all sadness and trauma, because in between the mud and tragedy there is humour and happiness. The football game on the battle field guaranteed to make every audience member smile, and the stunted and nervous greetings between German and British soldiers are both funny and frightening and are a credit to Helen Newall’s playwriting skills.

The mix of traditional songs, Christmas carols and Helen Newall’s and Matt Baker’s own compositions get the audience singing along, laughing and sitting in silent awe as they mirror the mixed emotions of excitement and tragedy.

Helen Newall manages to make you care for these characters, and part of it is that they are Cestrians going out to fight for their country – but it is also that 90 years on from the end of the Great War it is still very close to home.

If you fancy a thought provoking, and emotional Christmas musical play with moments of sing-a-long fun this is the production for you – remember to keep your tissues handy.