Heroes

The hearts of a packed theatre go out to the three old codgers

Article by Alasdair Gillon | 12 Dec 2006
This comedy sees three veterans of the First World War plan to escape from the terrace of their 1950s convalescent home, and make an arduous journey to the crest of a nearby hill. In fact, the action never leaves the terrace – the three are beset by various health problems - both mental and physical - and by a propensity for argument. Tending towards irritability, accounts of bravado and exaggerated stories of their successes in making conversation with young women, their human frailties are to the fore. Yet they preserve a solid friendship which is touching to observe – the three are played with sensitivity by Art Malik, Michael Jayston and Christopher Timothy (the last best known from BBC TV's 1980s series All Creatures Great and Small). It's gentle humour but an accomplished production, translated from the French by Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love) and the hearts of a packed theatre go out to the three old codgers. [Alasdair Gillon]
14-18 Nov, King's Theatre. http://www.eft.co.uk