The R.C Sherriff play originally performed in 1928 has been modernised and reimagined for a modern audience. Set in a dugout of the front line trenches in WW1, audience members wuld have to be inhuman to not feel moved in some way by this incredible performance. The aim of naturalism, to immerse the audience and completely recreate a real setting has been totally reached here. Characters seemed totally real, it was almost impossible not to fall in love with fatherly Osborne or laugh at some of Trotters dubious jokes. The plot, aptly takes the audience on a complete journey, mainly thorough the love/hate relationship with heavy drinking Captain Stanhope who we see intimidating new recruits but then breaking down when closest confidant Osborne is killed. The Stanhope we see, is a human being destroyed by war and through James Norton's portrayal of this character the audience is exposed to the softer, desperate side of the Captain as well as the harsh, heavy drinking side it could be easier for the actor to focus upon.
Journey's End is a perfect piece of naturalism as it was obvious to see upon leaving the theatre that every single audience member was moved by what they had seen. An incredibly talented creative team brought the front line to the midlands through a perfcetly recreated set. Designer Jonathon Fensom made sure every detail of the set was how it would have been in the trenches, from the hierarchy of where members of the company slept to the indivdual stripes & medals on thier uniforms. Without such a detailed set, the complete naturalistic feel to the piece would have been lost.
Finally the point in which most shocked & interetsed me about the performace was th final minutes where the curtian is lowered, the auditorium set in complete darkness and sounds of bombing and gun fire echo through the room. These sound effects are so effective as they are literally ear splitting, making the audience feel uncomfortable & slightly scared, when the lights are brought back up we see the characters stood in front of the Arras Memorial, it sounds cliched this image was so striking that there was not a dry eye in the house.
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