• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides

EdFringe 2017 – All Quiet on the Western Front at Pleasance Dome

August 16, 2017 by Anna Livesey Leave a Comment

Review of: All Quiet on the Western Front
Price:
£8-10

Reviewed by: Anna Livesey
Rating:
3
On August 16, 2017
Last modified:August 17, 2018

Summary:

A classic if conventional piece of World War One Drama

More Details

In the centenary year of the Battle of the Somme, it’s perfectly right that a World War One drama should have its place on the 2017 Fringe line-up. Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front is a classic choice for revival, even if that does make it a more conventional one too.

The unexceptional nature of the play’s storyline – if you’ve seen War Horse or Journey’s End you may as well have seen this one too – is only made worse by the need to cram a lengthy German novel into one hour-long production. Much of what’s particular to Remarque’s work is lost to a barer and more hackneyed narrative arc.

The show then has a tendency to feel hurried, leaving plot development shallow. Characters are distinguishable only when heavily caricatured and, while performances like Joe Taylor as Corporal Himmelstoss hit just the right comic note, our connection to the play’s heroes remains too slim to afford their tragic end full force.

Substituted in place of a substantial plot is the physical sequencing that is Incognito Theatre’s trademark. True to form, all movement has been honed under sensitive direction and rehearsed to a streamlined perfection. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to stop choreography feeling cliché: synchronised salutes and bodies rippling under gunfire are bread and butter to the World War One Drama and they don’t get any radical update here.

Remarque’s story of lost youth in a lost era can’t fail to move and Incognito do have the skill and energy to sustain it. Their five-strong male cast nails wartime camaraderie and there’s a trust between the actors that makes relationships between them believable. Those things together make All Quiet on the Western Front a very watchable production – even if you get the sense you might have watched it all before.

 

Author: Anna Livesey

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Edinburgh Fringe 2017, pleasance, World War One

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre

Written by Fraser Grace (Breakfast with Mugabe, RSC), Bliss is based on a short story by censored writer Andrey Platonov. It’s at Finborough [Read More]

NEWS / Japanese Romeo and Juliet to the songs of Queen announced

Coming to Sadler’s Wells in September as part of its world tour, A Night At The Kabuki is a retelling [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Paul O’Donnell talks about Shoot Festival

Shoot Festival returns this year with a mix of commissioned pieces and showcases of the best of Coventry’s arts scene. [Read More]

Review / The Man who Knew Too Much at Omnibus Theatre

A packed Omnibus Theatre lapped up the entertaining antics of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Co-Director and Co-writer Olivia [Read More]

Spotlight / Inua Ellams at 05Fest Lewisham

Inua Ellams, the Albany and WE ARE LEWISHAM  presents………. 05Fest, 10 – 19 March Poetry takes front and centre stage [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • Fraser Grace talks about Bliss at the Finborough Theatre
  • Kim Scopes tells us about Somewhere To Belong
  • Katy Owen: Auditioning for Oxford School of Drama
  • A Streetcar Named Desire- A cry of pain- Young Vic
  • Paul O'Donnell talks about Symphony of Us
  • Crowdfunding In Theatre - An Overview
  • French's Theatre Bookshop Closing After 187 Years
  • Anna Livesey
    Author

  • August 16th, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook1TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!