THE SILVER SWORD till 12 July

Nottingham

THE SILVER SWORD: Ian Serraillier adapted by Rony Robinson
Nottingham Playhouse: Tkts 0115 941 9419
Runs: 2h 20m: one interval: till 12th July
Performance times: various days 9.45am, 1.45pm, 2pm and 7pm
Review: Jen Mitchell: 28th June 2003

A well-acted tale of courage and fortitude in the face of adversity.
The bombed out ruins of Warsaw and the background sounds of guns and bombs in the distance ensure that the audience are acutely aware of the horrors to come as they enter the auditorium. The symbolism of the ruins around whilst people attempt to get on with their lives following the invasion is sharp and clear.

These ruins quickly become home to many children, who attempt to keep themselves alive as best they can when their parents have been dragged away to face untold horrors. Action takes us in and around the ruins of the houses of Warsaw; through countryside and city as the children make their long and perilous journey to the border of Switzerland in the search for their father.

This adaptation of the children's novel The Silver Sword is as meaningful and appealing to adults as to the young people in the audience. It is always difficult for adults to play children, particularly children as young as five but these fine actors manage to carry it off comfortably. The older children are forced into early adulthood by the horror of their situation. The truly challenging task is for Cerianne Roberts to play Bronia, the youngest child, between the ages of two and five. However, in this finely written adaptation we soon forget it is adults we are watching.

A band of musicians set the opening scene at the birthday celebrations of the mother. Throughout the piece the music sets the moods of each scene as these talented performers both play their instruments and act various roles. Clearly defined characters combined with sharp writing and direction ensures that actors playing multiple roles never confuse the audience.

The story is a harrowing one with an unlikely but happy ending, however the beauty of this adaptation is that it never uses sentimentality to get the point across and for every moment that even comes close, a sharp reminder of the damage done to countless children is delivered, usually through the tragic character of Jan, played by Edward Hogg.

Nina Bhirangi: Ruth
Ian Conningham: Jacek, Ivan, Lieutenant, Burgomeister
Jim Findley: Joseph, Russian Lieutenant, American Captain
Amanda Hadingue: Margarit, Translator, Nursing Sister
Edward Hogg: Jan
Matt Marks: Actor/Musician
Katarina Olsson: Anna, Emma
William Oxborrow: Yankel, Kurt
Philip Reed: Edek
Cerianne Roberts: Bronia

Andrew Breakwell: Director
Jane Linz Roberts: Designer
Geoff Spain: Lighting designer
Matt Marks: Composer/Musical Director

2003-07-01 08:39:29