Friday 11 April 2014

Birdsong

Last week I was lucky to see the stage production of Birdsong.  Birdsong, by Sebastian Faulks, is one of my favourite books so I was interested to see how the play would compare.  We covered writing for stage, film and radio in one of my open university courses so I know that a huge amount of work goes into adapting a book for film or stage.  The first couple of chapters in the book set the scene before the First World War and I remember I found these a bit heavy going.  In comparison the play leaps right into the action as it opens in the trenches and the backstory is interlaced throughout the play to great effect.  The actors all gave moving performances and were just as I had imagined them.   The play was stunning and especially poignant given that it marks the anniversary of the start of the First World War.  I recommend going to see it if you get the chance.

4 comments:

  1. Where did you see it? here in France or England? I thought the book was really intense.

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    1. I saw it in England. Yes I agree the book was a very intense read - the play captured it perfectly.

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  2. The actors played their parts beautifully. I was riveted the whole way through - not often I can say that. It has made me want to read the book again.

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    1. I know what you mean. It was great to have the opportunity to see it after missing it in 2010.

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