Heroes – Watermill Theatre, Bagnor

Written by: Gerald Sibleyras

Translated: Tom Stoppard

Director: Paul Hart

Reviewer: Jim Nicholson

The Public Reviews Rating:

Written by French playwright Gerald Sibleyras in 2003 with the title ‘Le Vent des Peupliers’, this play was translated in 2005 by Tom Stoppard, with a much simpler English title of ‘Heroes’, and won the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

It certainly does have its funny moments and despite nothing momentous occurring you are taken on a gentle excursion that even without the ‘wow’ factor means you come away having thoroughly enjoyed the company of the three old stagers (and the dog).

The story is set in France 1959 with three first world war veterans living entrenched routines as retired military personal within the cross channel version of our ‘Royal Chelsea Hospital’.

Gustav, played with commanding authority by Michael Hadley, is the newest comrade having only been in the sanatorium for six months. He is the strategist and obvious leader of our three but his agoraphobia means he can no longer interact with the outside world.Gustav is admired by the others for his claim of having ‘biffed’ the mysterious Sister Madeleine that we hear much about but never see. Is she really killing any new residents who have the same birth dates of any current inhabitants to ensure there will only ever be one birthday party on any one set day of the year?

Philippe, sees a fine imaginative performance from Christopher Ettridge, as the most inquisitive of the trio who has a shrapnel wound to his head that means he passes out and collapses to floor on a regular basis. He is a very worried man when he hears of a new all powerful high ranking resident whose birthday is 12th February, just like his.

Finally there is life’s ‘glass half full’ charmer Henri who is played with real down to earth likability by David Fielder. Has he really got a chance of ‘pulling’ the local school teacher?

Set totally within the terraced area they have claimed their own within the hospital, Andrew D Edwards set design is simple but effective. You appreciate the stony confines of the grounds but can still appreciate thebeauty that lies just over the horizon.

Also living within the terrace is a 200lb stone statue of a dog who has become the fourth member of the band of brothers. Whilst Philippe is convinced the dog moves on its own, Gustav has decided to include it within his escape plan that means all four will head up the hill that they see in the distance for a new life amongst the beautiful clump of poplars’ this hill houses.

With three very different characters we find out that despite cantankerous attitudes, paranoia, and plenty of goading they are bound together as comrades with an affirmed friendship that no one will break.

A very heartwarming night for the audience is the end result and without giving too much away let me say that it is the dog that has the last laugh.