Presented by Independent Theatre
Reviewed 21 July 2024
On viewing Independent Theatre’s production, it is very easy to see why Winston Churchill called R C Sherriff’s play Journey’s End “The greatest war play in the English language”. It is a concise, realistic look into the hopes and fears of British men serving their King and country in the First World War. The characters, including the minor ones, are beautifully written and thanks to this production’s Director, Rob Croser, and skilful cast, beautifully realised.
This latest production is magnificent! The audience are captured in time the moment they enter the theatre and see the wooden, corrugated iron and hessian Front Line Officer’s dugout with a darkened barb-wire Front Line looming above, designed by Croser and David Roach. Authenticity is added with Ken Kurtz’s very precise military uniforms and weaponry. Nothing about this production is slack. This reviewer is at an age where I can get tired and bored very easily, but my attention was on high from the very first second the play started. Croser makes sure that the tension and drama works whilst peppering the whole thing with trench humour at just the right level.
The cast have been expertly picked and all give excellent performances. Jordan Rose is the “Uncle” of the Unit as Lieutenant Osborne and gives us a well-rounded portrayal of a school master who is still looking after his ‘boys’. Ryan Kennealy as 2nd Lieutenant Hibbert has the hard job of presenting us with a malingerer (suffering supposedly with neuralgia) and potential coward whilst still having to make us relate to him. He does this brilliantly. The role of the Colonel is nicely played by David Roach as a man who understands what his men feel but has his hands tied by rules and orders. The humour of the play comes mostly from Stephen Turner as 2nd Lieutenant Trotter and Gabe Mangelsdorf as the Unit’s cook, Private Mason. Both of these actors handle the comedy lines extremely well and have our affection for them immediately. In fact, the audience eagerly await each and every one of Mangelsdorf’s appearances.
Even the smaller roles of Captain Hardy, Private Broughton, The Sergeant Major and the German Soldier played by Patrick Marlin, Lachlan Bosland, Matt Hein and Ronan Cros respectively, play their parts authentically and very well.
While all the cast are excellent, I have left the best two for last. Benji Riggs as the very young Unit commander Captain Stanhope and Callum Logan as fresh faced, just out of school 2nd Lieutenant Raleigh are off the charts superlative. Their dynamics with one another are utterly mesmerising. Each is the equal of the other performance-wise. Logan is totally believable as the young British school boy ready for his first big adventure and being led by his school hero, Stanhope. There is an innocence that pervades this young actor that should hold him in good stead for the future should he wish to move forward in the Performing Arts.
Riggs is simply superb as Stanhope, the young leader who is driven to find solace in Whiskey whilst trying to maintain a ‘front’ for his men. Riggs does not overdo the alcoholism but maintains a believable level for a young man on the brink. His scenes with Logan and Kennealy alone are hard-hitting and make one appreciate true theatre and acting.
This Journey’s End is riveting from the very start to the very moving, explosive end. Try not to miss this incredible piece of theatre from one of Adelaide’s most respected companies, Independent Theatre.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: The Little Theatre
Season: Until 27 July 2024
Tickets: $22 – $40
Bookings: https://www.independenttheatre.org.au/2024-season/journeys-end
More News
