25 – 30 November
BIRDSONG, Sebastian Faulks’s First World War story of love and loss, tours to Bath starring Max Bowden, James Esler and Charlie Russell.
Once seen never forgotten, Birdsong is a mesmerising story of love and courage, set both before and during the Great War. The critically acclaimed play, adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Alastair Whatley (Original Theatre), features a cast of thirteen led by Max Bowden (EastEnders, Waterloo Road), James Esler (Litvinenko) and Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show, And Then There Were None – BBC).
An epic story of love and loss, Birdsong tells the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War. In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war, Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.
Award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known on television for his roles as Ben Mitchell in EastEnders and Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road, plays Jack Firebrace. The role of Stephen Wraysford is played by James Esler, whose television credits include Litvinenko and Dalgliesh. Charlie Russell, whose screen credits include The Goes Wrong Show and Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, appears as Isabelle Azaire. Charlie has performed at the Theatre Royal Bath previously in The Play The Goes Wrong in 2014.
The cast also features Joseph Benjamin Baker as Evans and Levi, Raif Clarke as Tipper, James Findlay as Brennan, Dave Fishley as Turner, Gracie Follows as Lisette, Sulin Hasso as Marguerite, Tama Phethean as Shaw and LeBrun, Natalie Radmall-Quirke as Jeanne, Roger Ringrose as Bérard and Barclay, and Sargon Yelda as René Azaire and Gray.
Alastair Whatley, Director of Birdsong and Artistic Director of Original Theatre, said:
“Birdsong has been part of our lives for over ten years since we first opened the show back in 2013. I am delighted to be returning to Birdsong once again with this fantastic company of actors in a brand-new production. It’s an honour and a privilege to return to this story based on Sebastian’s much-loved novel.”
In the run-up to the nation’s recent Armistice Day commemorations, the three lead cast members from Birdsong recorded poignant on-stage video readings of war poems chosen by the celebrated novel’s author, Sebastian Faulks. The readings were released on 7th, 8th and 11th November, in support of the production’s partnership with the Royal British Legion and its annual Poppy Appeal. James Esler read Wilfred Owen’s Anthem for Doomed Youth, with After The Battle by A.P. Herbert delivered by Charlie Russell, and Max Bowden sharing Flanders Fields by John McCrae. The videos are available to watch on Original Theatre’s YouTube channel.
Earlier this year, Max Bowden with Birdsong cast member and musical director James Findlay released their version of the traditional folk song I Would That All The Wars They Were Over to tie in with the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. The single can be streamed across all major digital music platforms, with a percentage of profits going to the Royal British Legion. https://www.youtube.com/live/w_GrOj87T-8?app=desktop
Birdsong is produced by Original Theatre and JAS Theatricals in association with Joshua Beaumont and Huw Allen, Tiny Giant Entertainment, Birdsong Productions and Wiltshire Creative. The producers of Birdsong are working in partnership with the Royal British Legion during the tour.
Birdsong appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 25th to Saturday 30th November. To book tickets call the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk
Photo credit: Pamela Raith Photography
