Oh What a Lovely War - The Octagon Theatre, Bolton - 26/10/07
Oh What a Lovely War is a theatrical chronicle of the horrors of the First World War told through song, comedy and dance and could easily tell the stories of modern warfare.
The musical theatre piece celebrates the lost generation of 'lions led by donkeys' with humour, but without sentimentality, exposing the futility and pity of the First World War, and all wars.
And The Octagon's staging of this classic is a real tour de force with a highly versatile ensemble cast which includes Matthew Kelly, John McArdle, Jeff Hordley and Matthew Kelly's son, Matthew Rixon.
The 13-strong company seamlessly move through the large number of characters in this energetic end-of-the-pier music hall style show, even playing all the musical instruments themselves!
The placing together of father and son Matthew Kelly and Matthew Rixon in a number of scenes is an act of pure imagination as the two rub off on each other perfectly and produce some of the funniest comic interplays in the show.
Some of the scenes set in the trenches have more than a feel of Blackadder Goes Forth, but that is surely no bad thing.
All the musical numbers are performed by the whole group with enormous gusto and the dances are staged well in such a small, but perfectly furnished space.
Moving, funny and packed full of memorable songs, Oh What a Lovely War is a landmark in British theatre history and a fitting choice for this outstanding ensemble to carve their names on during the Octagon Theatre's 40th Anniversary Season.
Catch this must-see theatre before November 17.
Naomi Smith
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