REVIEW: BIRDSONG AT THE EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM

I decided to take Birdsong with me on holiday this summer. It's a book I read, and loved, a long time ago. I have watched the BBC adaptation starring Eddie Redmayne and saw the stage adaptation 10 years ago, however, my recollection of all the minor details and the trauma of war had faded (probably intentionally) over the years.

As I lay on the beach in Greece, the characters came back to life quickly and my hatred for René Azaire and Monsieur Bérard returned as if remembering a bully from school.

It has been 30 years since Sebastian Faulks' book was published and is still, arguably, his finest piece of work. It's a story that is cherished by different generations and it was up to Rachel Wagstaff to bring it to life on stage.

It's a mesmerising and intense story of love and courage, set both before and during the Great War, and centred around young Englishman Stephen Wraysford (James Esler) and Isabelle Azaire (Charlie Russell), wife of René Azaire who owns the factory in which Stephen is in France to visit. Both Esler and Russell are magnificent throughout.

As in the book, the play is set over three acts; pre-war, wartime, and post-war. It wanders ever so slightly from the original story, but never strays from the deep love, horror and camaraderie displayed in the novel.

With all of that said, if Birdsong is one of your favourite books, you will need to go with an open mind and to not pick any holes in the story conveyed on the stage. 

​At the start of Act One,  we meet John who is trying to find his namesake's grave (yes, we know it was Stephen's granddaughter Elizabeth Benson who was searching for more information about her grandfather in the book), before entering the Azaire household as Stephen arrives.

We meet the family, including Jeanne, and Monsieur Bérard who is far less odious on stage, and sometimes even quite funny.

Although lots of the build up to Stephen and Isabelle's affair was missing, the steamy encounters and the oppressed nature of Isabelle's abusive marriage was very much portrayed.  

We are deep into the Great War at the start of Act Two, with the now Lieutenant Wraysford leading his troops into battle.

This is where we meet show-stealer ​Jack Firebrace (Max Bowden) and his closest sapper companion Arthur Shaw whose friendship embodies the harrowing, dark and lonely sense of life underground in the tunnels and trenches.

Other standout performances come in the shape of the underaged and shellshocked Tipper, the violin playing and beautiful singing-voiced Brennan and Evans, who brings most of the stories and humour that along with the drinking and prostitutes, would become a necessity during those horrific times.

The individual readings of the final letters that were sent home were brought to life by music and incredibly moving.

​The minimalist stage design, perfectly subtle lighting and occasional seat-shaking explosions helps transport us in some small way to the hell and horror of war, and is no more evident than when we find Jack and Stephen trapped in a tunnel underground, with their shared losses, fight for survival and underlying friendship that makes up the majority of the final act.

The play had a lot to live up to and manages to do it brilliantly.

This is incredible theatre with truly exceptional performances throughout. It honours the sacrifices and loss of millions of lives, while managing to celebrate the triumph of love and friendship during humanity's darkest years. 

The Birdsong Tour continues until February 2025

www.birdsongplay.com