The First World War sucked in many unlikely would-be warriors from all walks of life. To mark the war’s centenary, Wild Men tells the story of five choristers, commemorated on a plaque within Bristol Cathedral, who were to become just another statistic within a lost generation of young men.
The play, directed by Sam Bailey and devised by Hotel Echo for Bristol Old Vic’s Made in Bristol programme, is the fourth graduate training production since the project sprung into life as part of the Old Vic’s outreach department in 2010.
The Made in Bristol ensemble is a ten-strong group made up of young people aged 18-25 on a gap year – having graduated from university, finished school or being in part time employment. In just twelve weeks this newly-formed troupe have developed an original story, and have honed their acting and production skills, to present us with the final days of the five Bristol lads who were unlucky enough to be the right age at the wrong time.
As we take our seats, the players are already centre stage awaiting the dimming of the lights. Spot lit in tableau style, the blood red of the choristers’ vestments signals an impending sacrifice. The ensemble then use The Studio space well while they sign up, muster and ready themselves for a one-way journey to obliteration.
As the action unfolded I felt that the writing of the play could have given more colour to the individual characterisations, perhaps employing some early twentieth century contemporary Bristol chat, to give us a greater sense of this being a local as well as a national issue. In a Show of Strength production of The Wills Girls a few years ago, it was the small detail of everyday conversation that effectively provided the portal to life on a fifties production line, and led us to sympathise with the plight of the individuals. Here there was a linear thread to the piece, but it sometimes felt that the gender-blind acting could have been helped with more intimate lines to express.
Certainly there were moments of real drama, particularly during the edgy discussion between the young soldiers as to whether or not to leave their posts in the face of impending doom, and when agonising over the fate of a captured German soldier. Suddenly we had insight into why choristers could be termed ‘wild men’. The brutalizing forces of war can make dehumanising demands on even the saintliest of souls. In the terrible moment when the lookout shouts “They’re coming!” Made in Bristol succeeds in setting us down next to the young men who are about to lose their voices forever.
This young outfit deserves a viewing for its commitment and achievement. There is no lack of grit or pace in the delivery of the piece.
Wild Men runs until 28 June at the Old Vic. It will later feature in the National Theatre of Scotland’s Tin Forest Festival in July, in Glasgow. ★★☆☆☆ Simon Bishop
Pictures by Matt Collins
