Review: Blue Remembered Hills

Written by Christine Johnston Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:48

Bedlam Theatre
25 Nov: 14:30
* * *

Dennis Porter’s original intention for adults to portray children in Blue Remembered Hills works remarkably well in this student production. We almost forget their size at points, their stance and movements giving the appearance of a far younger cast. Too, the sparse set signifies the supposedly uncomplicated idea of childhood that the script soon sets to unravel.

The premise of wartime Britain is quickly signified by the 1940s style clothes, and through the dialogue. The first encounter between two boys is invariably interrupted by spurts of violence, or childish giggling. Joined by another pair, one is hunched, and stammering, seemingly a predictable bullies' target. To the other side of the stage, two girls and a boy, Donald, play at ‘houses’. His awkward presence immediately indicates his vulnerability, taking part in a "girls game". Over-excited as they occupy pretend grown-up roles, they demonstrate only how attached to childhood they remain.

The murder of a squirrel by the gang of boys foreshadows the play's end, pitting ideas of the strong against the weak; survival of the fittest. The claim Donald is "asking for it" comes shortly after the girls have asserted the same about an unseen character. The disturbing edge to their intentions is echoed by a siren overhead, a warning that their idyllic world is far from safe.

Comparisons to Lord of the Flies have always touched Blue Remembered Hills; Donald is clearly ‘Piggy’, the boy with the stutter initially acting as a red herring. Plotting to "frighten him to death", they storm the shed Donald has taken refuge in, unaware of the fire he has lit inside. His touching helplessness against those unaware of their strength reaches a climax as smoke fills the stage, which turns black and desolate. The aftermath is bleak; they shift blame and fudge details as if it is a game, an escapable nightmare. A remnant of ‘houses’, a baby’s pram sits mobile on the stage. Prior, one of the girls frantically tried to reach it, as if grappling for the childhood they will all soon leave behind.

Ending on a moment of transcendence, it is darkly bitter, but communicative of a wider truth. With bombs and alarms forming part of the growing up process, the need to establish an unconnected identity was, and is, especially essential. The delicate complexities of youth sit awkwardly in a world sometimes one step ahead of itself. Despite it’s dated origins, Blue Remembered Hills resonates now in an increasingly modern society.

Comments

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Anonymous (78.150.183.xxx) 2009-12-01 23:03:39

This review talks more about the script than the production. More comment on
whether it was carried out successfully or on the actors or direction would
perhaps be more appropriate as this is a review of a play not a piece of
writting.