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Review by Paul Nelson
WITHOUT being omniscient, it was obvious at the start of the Falklands War
of 1982 that there was less to it than met the eye, to paraphrase Dorothy
Parker.
It was a matter of the pride and madness of Margaret Thatcher, the necessity
for the Tory party to gain popularity and set itself up to win the next election,
her belief that she was a reincarnation of Winston Churchill and lurking beneath
the surface, a deep suspicion that there was probably oil beneath the waves
of the South Atlantic.
There have been plays about young men and poets in war before and there will
be more in the future without doubt, but certainly the most succinct and moving
I have seen is Falkland Sound, currently at the Finborough Theatre.
The play is an abridgement of A Message from the Falklands; The Life and
Gallant Death of David Tinker by David Tinker, Lieutenant RN, edited
by Hugh Tinker, David's father.
David Tinker was an idealist as a young man. A thoroughly English sort with
all the dreams and ambitions youth can possess. A sense of humour and fair
play were intrinsic to him. He joined the RN after school and was sent to
the Falklands during that mad campaign, and that is where he met his end.
The whole futility of war alongside David's disillusionment is the main thrust
of the play and in their endeavour to do these really great themes justice,
the two-man cast at the Fin are expert.
Contrasting with the kindness and humanity of Hugh is the initial boyish joie
de vivre of David, his jingoistic zeal for Argie-bashing which toned down
to the realisation that the whole adventure was a misplaced idea, a caprice
of a Prime Minister intent on self aggrandisement at whatever cost.
The two actors who comprise the entire cast of this play are excellent, and
the short evening peoples the stage with other characters. Indeed, David manages
to make you join him in his loves, his hopes and finally his realisation of
the sheer waste of time and money. Both actors play with skill and artistry.
The play lasts approximately 55 minutes, and it is the most emotionally packed
short play I have ever seen. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.
It is a very affecting evening.
Falkland Sound, adapted by Louise Page and the original cast, directed
by Jennifer Lunn, Lighting by Jerry Sullivan WITH Simon Wright (Hugh) and
Edward Jaspers (David). Produced by Culturcated Theatre Company and presented
by Concordance at the Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10.
Tickets 020 7373 3842.
RELATED STORIES: Click here for
Paul Nelson's informative preview of the production...
RELATED LINKS: Click here
for the Finborough's website...
Click here for
the Concordance website...
