IT’S A MUSICAL which has attracted some of the greatest names from the theatrical world to take on its characters in the past.
In Sir Richard Attenborough’s 1969 film version, for example, Dirk Bogarde, Sir John Gielgud, Laurence Oliver, Dame Maggie Smith, and Vanessa and Michael Redgrave were among the A-list cast.
Now, final-year students from Exeter College are taking on the same roles in their end-of-year production of Oh! What A Lovely War, to be performed for peers and the public at Exeter’s Barnfield Theatre later this month.
In total, the cast of 35 students, due to complete their BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts this Summer, will play 90 characters between them.
For those unfamiliar with the plot, the musical is set in 1914 when Europe is on the brink of war. Propaganda promises would-be soldiers a future of valour and victory, but the frontline offers them a very different fate.
At times moving, at others funny, the script questions the point of war. Sketches, songs and stories are performed by clowns – in this case Pierrot clowns – with lyrics of popular tunes twisted to suit the moods of men on the battlefield.
Tutor Nigel Paul says: “As part of their research for this production, the students have been looking at the plight of anybody who has been on the receiving end of conflict, longing for a return to normality.
“They have learned something of what it must have been like to have been in the First World War and all the wars since then, and have been able to make comparisons with what is going on in the world today.
“Undoubtedly, the part of the show which they have found most moving is during the song When This Lousy War Is Over.”
“The choice of script has given students a real sense of empowerment,” he adds, “as they’ve worked together in small groups and then as a whole cast to develop the production as their own from the outset.
“The ethos of our coursework has been that you have to work together to achieve; as an ensemble, you are only ever as strong as your weakest person so it’s not about working as individuals, it’s about working as a company.”
Hoping that the College’s final-year productions will become recognised as mainstays on the city’s cultural calendar in future years, Nigel continues: “We have a student shortlisted for Bristol Old Vic’s Theatre School and others going to Italia Conti and the Academy of Live and Recorded Artists (ALRA) this year.
“For students who are going on to further their careers in the industry, we hope this production will help them towards reaching their end goal.”
Oh! What A Lovely War will be performed at the Barnfield Theatre from Wednesday, May 19 to Saturday, May 22, at 7.30pm (Thursday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm). For tickets, priced £10 (£8 concessions; £5 students), call the Barnfield Theatre Box Office on 01392 270891. Members of the public welcome.