Journey's End, R.C. Sheriff's vivid, 1928 anti-war slice of World War I trench life slams home the stupidity and brutality of war, and the basic innocence of the soldiers sent to the front to fight in a hopeless situation. It is beautifully performed by a first rate English-accented cast, well directed by David Grindley, and underlighted by Jason Taylor. I know, I know- they want us to experience the half-light of a real trench, but it's a very long play with little respite from the gloom, and there were some nod-outs sitting near me. Not towards the end, though, as the sound of bombardment shook the theater (sound design by Gregory Clarke) -- implying the inescapable doom of everyone. It's enthralling to experience the fine acting of this excellent ensemble, but "war is hell," and the inescapable, doomed, downward slide of the future of these men ensnared in idiocy, although having particular resonance for Americans today, is a journey for true theaterphiles who don't want to miss the experience.
Previews:
February 8, 2007
Opened:
February 22, 2007
Ended:
June 10, 2007
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Boyett Ostar Productions, Stephanie McClelland, Bill Rollnick, James D'Orta, Philip Geier
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Belasco Theater
Theater Address:
111 West 44th Street
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Drama
Director:
David Grindley
Review:
Cast:
Hugh Dancy, Boyd Gaines, Jefferson Mays, Stark Sands, John Ahlin, Nick Berg Barnes, John Behlmann, Justin Blanchard, Kieran Campion, John Curless, Richard Poe
Technical:
Sound: Gregory Clarke; Light: Jason Taylor; PR: Pete Sanders Group.
Other Critics:
TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz !
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
March 2007
