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.

Tom Monahan, as Arthur, is brilliant. He looks young and wide-eyed, and sustains an endearing but self-sabotaging innocence in the face of Hargreaves’ efforts to wise him up.

The word ‘gormless’ is used often to describe Arthur. He is a young man who can’t lie. He is too honest. When Hargreaves suggests that Arthur’s marital problems must have been preying on his mind and have affected his judgement, Arthur asks him if this would be “an excuse.” Instead of willingly taking the bait, he digs holes for himself.

Ted O’Regan gives a fine performance as Hargreaves, speaking in a clipped English accent.

With an almost pained facial expression, he conveys his character’s utter frustration with Arthur, who is incapable of playing a strategic game.

During the tense court martial, the question of mental illness is raised. But the medical officer is of no help to Arthur, saying illness and “lack of guts” are two different things. He sees Arthur as a coward. Arthur observes what is going on in the court as if watching a performance. He shows no signs of terror, although when he speaks he is nervous.

The Padre offers spiritual succour, but Arthur is beyond help. He unwittingly digs his own grave in a drama that reveals not just the brutality of war, but also the danger of being an innocent abroad.

Continues until Saturday