Theatre review: King and County

King and Country

This World War One drama, written by John Wilson and directed by Cork theatrical stalwart, John O’Shea, could be summed up by the phrase ‘bringing a lamb to slaughter’. The lamb in question is Private Arthur Hamp, who deserted the army, clambering out of a shell hole and walking away from battle. He is court-martialled, but is so naive that he doesn’t realise the seriousness of his action.

In the first act of this compelling play, which is set in a barn, Arthur’s defence counsel, Captain Hargreaves, coaches Arthur how to testify.