Letters

This affecting production tells the real-life story of some people caught up in the Second World War. Interspersed with scenes at home are scenes at the front, as the people involved write letters to each other.
Sometimes, especially in the dialogue written to link the letters, it is a bit flat, but the honest emotion in the letters hits home. I’d have preferred the playwright’s scenes to have more going on in them than a lead-up to the next letter, and for the dialogue to give the actors more scope. To paraphrase an example, instead of having an actor say “What’s the matter? Why do you look so sad,” have the actor simply say “What’s the matter?” and allow the other actor’s demeanour tell us that she is sad. One effective scene is the Christmas scene that explores the natural tension between mother and daughter-in-law. I’d like to have seen that tension expressed more often throughout the play, to show the psychological effect that the conflict overseas has on those left behind.
The period costumes are a nice touch for a Fringe show. I can’t speak for their authenticity, but they worked for me.
Venue 3 — ALTO Portage Place
Play Drama
45 Minutes
Parental Guidance
Warnings: Mild language, violent content, gunshots, smoke or fog