NEWS TICKER
REVIEW: The War Has Not Yet Started, Southwark Playhouse ✭✭✭✭
Published on
January 22, 2018
By
markludmon
Mark Ludmon reviews Mikhail Durnenkov's strange tale The War Has Not Yet Started at Southwark Playhouse
The War Has Not Yet Started
Southwark Playhouse
Four stars
According to the title of Mikhail Durnenkov's new play, the war has not yet started but, for its disparate characters, conflict is always bubbling beneath the surface. Despite a set of 1970s-style domestic furniture, there are few home comforts in Durnenkov's unsettling world of paranoia, fear, broken communication and misplaced idealism.
Through 12 narratively unconnected scenes, we meet a variety of people living in an unnamed country which may or may not be on the brink of war and social breakdown. Although written by a Russian, The War Has Not Yet Started could just as easily be Britain in the age of Brexit and Trump although the play's writing pre-dates both. One scene exploring the nature of "truth" in news reporting is particularly timely. But it is not overtly political, dealing more with the individual experience of living in uncertain times, with vague fears of something cold-hearted and angry lurking round the corner. Human connections are made but are fragile, misguided or misunderstood.
It is an often surreal vision, where thoughts and fantasies mix with reality, accentuated by director Gordon Anderson's decision to follow Durnenkov's suggestion that parts are not allocated based on the actors' ages or genders. In fact, Anderson rarely opts for the obvious choice, with genders switched more often than not, adding to the disconcerting sense of unease as each new scene opens.
The excellent cast of three - Hannah Britland, Sarah Hadland and Mark Quartley - tease plenty of comedy out of this dark, surreal satire, making it as funny as it is intriguing. It is part of Southwark Playhouse's mini season of Strange Tales from the West Country after the play had its UK premiere at The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2016. While this is a revised production of Noah Birksted-Breen's translation, with a new cast and director, it certainly lives up to the label of a strange tale.
Running to February 10, 2018
Photo: Steve Tanner
BOOK TICKETS TO THE WAR HAS NOT YET STARTED
© BRITISHTHEATRE.COM 1999-2024 All Rights Reserved.
The BritishTheatre.com website was created to celebrate the rich and diverse theatrical culture of the United Kingdom. Our mission is to provide the latest UK theatre news, West End reviews, and insights into both regional theatre and London theatre tickets, ensuring enthusiasts can stay up to date with everything from the biggest West End musicals to cutting-edge fringe theatre. We are passionate about encouraging and nurturing the performing arts in all their forms.
The spirit of theatre is alive and thriving, and BritishTheatre.com is at the forefront of delivering timely, authoritative news and information to theatre lovers. Our dedicated team of theatre journalists and critics works tirelessly to cover every production and event, making it easy for you to access the latest reviews and book London theatre tickets for must-see shows.