“How can one put on a play with no leading lady?” These were the words spoken to R. C. Sheriff when he tried to find someone to produce his play in London. Of course, once most people have seen Journey’s End they realise that this matters not at all. The play is set in an officers’ dugout which the production team from Lancaster University Theatre Group has chosen to emulate by performing in Merchants 1688, a historic restaurant/pub in town. This is sure to be a very immersive experience for those who go to see it; it was picked deliberately by the director Callum Berridge, who was inspired by seeing the bunker trilogy seen at the Edinburgh Fringe where three plays were formed in a small space, making it much more intimate for the audience.
Journey’s End is a poignant play for the centenary of WWI, revolving around the hopes and fears of a handful of officers and men in 1917, awaiting orders as to how they should progress. All natural lighting will be used by the production team in Merchants 1688 using oil lamps and candles in bottles – it’s certainly going to be an intense experience for the audience. The traditional characterization and costume planned will also make the performance as authentic to Sheriff’s vision as possible.
The production will be performed on the 18th, 19th and 20th of November. On the 18th the performance is at 8pm, and on the 19th and 20th at 4.30pm and 8pm each day. There is a maximum capacity of 35 per performance and tickets are likely to sell fast, so you’ll need to move quickly if you want to go. To book tickets, send an email to lutg.je45@gmail.com.
