Unspoken presented by Bravo 22 Company, Birmingham Hippodrome - review
The invisible scars of war seared into the minds of those it touches can only truly be revealed by those who live with such wounds.
TV or film may never really capture the real consequence and human sacrifice, of lives and souls, that conflict brings.
But the tales told in Unspoken are based on real life stories, of real life servicemen and told by real soldiers.
That reality, from the memories and mouths of ex-service personnel, is more powerful and revealing than any Hollywood production.
Unspoken is an original and very moving piece of theatre.
The characters telling the stories are all part of the Bravo 22 Company, a recovery through arts programme for veterans.
It is the same company that previously brought the ground-breaking The Two Worlds of Charlie F production to theatres.
The distressing issue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a central theme to Unspoken as the stories emerge from a group of former armed forces personnel gathering in an un-named pub on a Saturday night.
WATCH a trailer for the show here:
From the frontline medics, to ex-soldiers who returned home missing limbs, to those fighting PTSD to the lonely and anxious wives of soldiers, the lives of our servicemen and women both in the war zones and after discharge are emotionally shared.
Surprisingly, given the nature and subject of this hard-hitting production, Unspoken is incredibly funny.
The deceased landlord still occupying the pub, played by David Shaw, tells of the dark sense of humour among former soldiers that the ‘left-leaning liberal snowflake’ civvies don’t understand.
It does feel wrong to be laughing at Ken Bellringer, a former bomb disposal expert without any legs telling jokes as ‘the first sit-down comedian’.
But the banter shared and no-holds barred jibes relieve the tension and warmly reflect the comradery between both the soldiers in the pub and cast members of Bravo 22 Company.
There is an outstanding performance by Tip Cullen as the former Royal Marine who now spends his days ‘holding his corner’ and reflecting, thinking about the faded sepia picture on the mantelpiece of his grandfather who died in The Somme or standing over his enemy only to realise we are all the same, just born in different worlds.
Dave Griffin injects some humour and musical entertainment as the pub singer while Micky Goble invites some audience interaction with his humorous role as the pub landlord and MC.
These comic moments peppered between the emotional and sometimes graphic anecdotes of the soldiers bring some light and welcome relief.
This is a thought-provoking and unique production which evokes some sadness but immense respect. This is the actual story of war and conflict told by real human beings and brought powerfully to our door.
Though they don’t like to use the word, we really are in the presence of heroes.
Unspoken is at the Birmingham theatre again tonight.
