OLD KIT BAG
DIRECTOR: David Scales
CAST: Liz Szymczak, David Scales, Matthew Roberts, Liz Starke, Jessica Munna, Sean Whitehead
VENUE: Rosebank Theatre
UNTIL: October 18
RATING: 3 stars (out of 5)
Beverley Brommert
Hot on the heels of the WWI-inspired Raiders comes another show to commemorate the centenary of the Great War at the Rosebank Theatre – Old Kit Bag – named after a popular song of that era.
With more than a dash of originality to create the ambience, this pleasing hybrid (part cabaret, part serial vignettes of dramatic character) makes for an entertaining night in which elements of fun and poignancy are evenly balanced.
As the audience arrives, they are welcomed by Nurse Morag Scott (Liz Szymczak) in her WWI costume, the red cross on her apron-bodice matching that on the door, to make them complicit in the illusion that this theatre is a makeshift hospital for the war-wounded, where a concert is to be held to keep up people’s spirits.
Even the bartender is in military uniform, with heavily bandaged head; the good nurse explains that his ear-drums were shattered while he was in action, and for once there is no request to switch off cellphones once everyone is seated: everything is kept in period.
A sheaf of lyrics awaits concertgoers on each seat, so that the audience has the option to join in singing – which they do, fired with enthusiasm by the catchy tunes and unforced warmth of the cast of six who take it in turns to sing solos, or combine in small ensembles to deliver the music. Accompaniment is supplied by an extremely earnest nursing sister at the piano, and in keeping with the avowed non-professionalism of the show, there is a calculated lack of polish in the performance.
This does not, however, detract from its charm (there is a world of difference between genuine ineptitude and the variety mustered for comic effect). Just when it seems that this is nothing more than an amateur concert, the lights go out and the sound of shells reminds one that the life-threatening dangers of war are present. Then come some cleverly staged evocations of well-known events from WWI, such as the thready sound of a mouth-organ playing Silent Night in the trenches as both sides take a respite from hostilities at Christmas… Family heartache as young men enlist is another inevitable theme of the show.
Three nurses and three soldiers of varying rank metamorphose as needed to suggest, among other things, dispirited troops intoning It’s a Long Way to Tipperary and Pack up Your Troubles in your Old Kit Bag – a versatility that complements the cast’s grasp of character when the erratic power supply has them back on the stage as charity performers. Ensemble is tight under David Scales’ direction, and he and Szymczak provide strong leads.
As the entertainment ends with everyone rising for God Save the King, there is a powerful sense that we have been on a journey down memory lane– and the memories are bittersweet, like this well-devised show.