The Loft’s wartime drama pulls no punches

This real-life story of Rudyard Kipling and his battle to get his 17-year-old son enlisted in the British Army at the beginning of the Great War was written by David Haig of Thin Blue Line and Four Weddings and a Funeral fame.

It follows Jack’s struggle with severe myopia which has prevented him from joining the ranks, before his father uses his status to get the military to overlook the fact. Jack secures an officer’s commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Irish Guards and goes to war where the real heart of the story unfolds.

This was every inch the wartime drama, with no time wasted on fond nostalgia.

This is a story of a 1914 England at war where patriotism is high and uncomfortable realities abound.

It wasn’t hard to lose yourself in the play with an absolutely exceptional set, particularly for the scene on the front line.

Throughout the play there were so many great performances that made me think that I should make note of.

Many of the actors took a while to warm up, with opening night nerves on display, but warm up they did. However despite excellent performances by all, one man deserves special plaudits.

Calum Speed was making his Loft debut playing the role of Guardsman Bowe, an Irish Guards serving under Jack in the trenches who had been traumatised by war. His performance was something special, and he had the whole audience completely entranced. I feel he may well be one to watch out for.

This play will only get better as those involved grow in confidence, but is not perhaps for the faint-hearted with some graphic imagery and strong language involved.

Verdict: Powerful, dark and utterly compelling

Jamie Smith