Edinburgh Fringe 2010: PRIVATE PEACEFUL

PRIVATE PEACEFUL

***

9th – 14th at 11.35am (1 hour 10 mins), £6.00 (£6.50)

Augustine’s (Venue 152)

Reviewed by Jacqueline Sharp

Beacon Theatre Group performs  Private Peaceful, by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Simon Reade.  The cast consists of a large group of children.

The heart of the story is about two brothers who grew up together, who both fought together in the First World War.  It is an emotional rollercoaster at times.  Its heart-churning, tear-jerking tales are too heavy for small children.

The children’s acting was outstanding. However, I thought the script should have been for the children, about children. I do not like children acting as adults, it just doesn’t work. The script was too grown up for them.

Claw back the script please!  Concentrate on roles for children, as children of war, with fewer characters.

*** three stars