Journey's End

Timeless classic, brilliantly written, the characters could be any nationality engaged in war. As in intense situations where people are grouped together who normally would not find themselves so, there is the measure of each man summed up beautifully and poignantly. The kinship of where they are and what they are about makes for interesting reading. The simple set, and the small group of characters deepen as do the shadows, darken as does the night, and awaken with the dawn's light. Subtle humor keeps the spirits of the men alive, but tempers flare, cowardice is contained, and glory is achieved in different forms to each man. The ending in particular, leaves the reader with much to think about; to admire the human spirit, as well as to mourn within the human condition, and finally, that which can be lost senselessly.

The theatrical power of "Journey's End" is only heightened by the humor in the details of each day's living in the face of certain death. The playwright's craft in characterization and circumstance raises the work past the "war play" genre to the level of human tragedy for its period and for all time. Lucky, too, for anyone interested, that there is a first-rate production on view this season (2005) at the Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, just over the border north of Naigara Falls.

Excellent play. Excellent poignancy. Excellent subtlety. For English, I had to write another ending for the play and it served me so well. Stanhope's bottled emotions versus Raleigh's incomprehension of everything creates an extremely powerful juxta-POS-ition. To read it is a pretty good experience. But to see the TV version with Timothy Spall as Trotter is something else entirely. Wicked. Aye.

A true classic about life in the trenches. The writer served with an infantry regiment for most of the war and it shows. The play is sharp and spare. A truly remarkable work. I discovered it by accident. Read this play. And cross your fingers that one day you can see it on stage. Mine are.

As far as I know, this is the only play R C Sherriff ever wrote, and that is one of the greatest tragedies of the twentieth century. There have been various theatrical productions - including the Jason Connery/Nicky Henson production at the Whitehall theatre which captured absolutely the poignant, black humour of the piece. This drama, set in the trenches has everything - comedy, tragedy, history, despair and hope. I studied this piece at school and it has made a lasting impression on me. Captain Stanhope and Uncle will have a place in my heart for ever...