THEATRE REVIEWS

This is not sophisticated theatre, this is in your face, crude, basic, telling you the history of the Spanish civil war. Pablo Ley and Allan Baker have adapted George Orwell’s writings of his experiences whilst serving in the the International brigade against the Fascists in the thirties. Josep Galindo directs together with co-artistic director Alan Lyddiard’s usual symbolic set pieces to tell the story he wants to get over in a modern way. You will experience the smell of burning cigarette paper amongst the ever changing piles of boots and books mixed with other war and every day requirements that make designer Neil Murray's sets.

You could either watch the play or read the surtitles high above the stage, but it was impossible to do both. Even if you spoke Spanish it was being thrown at you at such speed that its meaning was lost in the actor’s delivery. As the characters did their speeches it became apparent who they were portraying, but this was not clear from the start of their entrance. Lots going on as the ten actors, seven men and three women, went from one sketch piece to the next. A drum band with a modern electric guitar thrown in did its piece with lots of noise trying to create music of the 1930’s; it may have added to the chaos of war, but it did not seen to have any relevance to the plot. “Don’t panic” gave it that Dad’s Army feel and showed a play floundering to find its way, which is what war is like. Lies being told as truth to get ordinary people to do as they are told, Orwell knew it all. It did show the futility of war, but as a play it was hard to remember the next day.

You will know the story, but you will not learn much from this interpretation of Orwell’s insight into the future, but you will see where some of his ideas came from. It will keep you quiet as you watch and each will interpret it to their own view of war and politics. © BA

“Homage to Catalonia” is in Leeds on the 15th March, 2004 to the 3rd April, 2004.