RC Sherriff's 1929 portrait of life in the trenches during World War I could easily risk looking out of date. It's steeped in the outmoded class distinctions that dominated the British army at the start of the 20th century, and pertains to a form of war that is likely gone for good.
But David Grindley's excellent revival, 75 years to the day since the play first opened, confirms otherwise. Sherriff's study of a regiment nervously awaiting a savage German raid is as much about the pressure from within as from without. Politically ambivalent, it is profoundly sympathetic to the camaraderie of warfare, while exposing the extent to which being seen to fail in front of your fellow men is almost more terrifying than going over the top.
Grindley's intense, dignified production softens the sense of class divide between the ranks of officer and men without losing the play's sentimental sense of period and place. It starts stiltingly but builds up cleverly. Geoffrey Streatfeild is superlative as the alcoholic, deeply capable Captain Stanhope, while David Haig's calm, stabilising Lieutenant Osbourne beautifully demonstrates the emotional hierarchies instinctively formed between men.
Jonathan Fensom's dimly lit, claustrophobic set fosters an effective sense of intimate tension; the final scene is devastating. Claire Allfree
Until Mar 6, Comedy Theatre, Panton Street SW1, Mon to Sat 7.30pm, Thu and Sat mats 2.30pm, £15 to £37.50. Tel: 020 7369 1731.
Journey's End
