Drayton Arms Theatre- until 21 October 2023
Reviewer Alec Legge
4****
This is a play which is based on Bizet’s Carmen. It is set in modern times and the cast are are pictured as members of the Army based in Cornwall. They consist of Pte Carl Jarvis, Jacob Mellers; Cpl Joe Donaldson, Langley Howard; both Sgt Lamb Military Police and Eddie Miller a boxer, Luke Harding; and finally Lt Davies Military Police as well as Luke the Boxers manager, Kevin Johnson.
It should be noted that up to just over 20 years ago it was illegal in the Army to be gay and while things have changed in that it is now illegal to be homophobic in the Armed Forces, many LBTG+ veterans are waiting to see if they will be compensated for losing careers and pensions because of their sexual identities.
The play opens with Carl doing a striptease performance at a gay party following which he is arrested by Sgt Lamb on charges of working a second job without permission and conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, Sgt Lamb is shown at this stage to be strongly homophobic and pushes for the charges to be pursued resulting in the decision to send Carl to their headquarters at Falmouth. To this end Cpl Joe Donaldson is told off to be his driver/escort.
Both before and during the drive they become attracted to each other and although Joe reacts physically at times his attraction to Carl deepens. Then Carl persuades Joe to visit Eddie the boxer, whom he knows, before finishing their drive to Falmouth. There is more interaction between Joe and Carl but then Carl goes off with Eddie. As a result Joe returns to speak with Lt Davies who upsets Joe who punches and kicks him resulting in Lt Davies falling to the floor and striking his head. Joe thinks he has killed him and rushes back to find Carl and work out what to do next.
The play continues with the central theme of Carl’s and Joe’s deepening attraction and love for each other whilst things are crashing round their heads. Eventually things brighten for them but without giving too much away Carl comes to terms with his promiscuous and self destructive lifestyle and Joe comes out as gay. It also shows that gay relationships are not always promiscuous.
The acting in the play was first class from all four actors. But I would particularly spotlight Jacob Mellers performance as Carl for particular merit.
This is an interesting play which shows the love and violence which can ensue from an intense love affair whether or not it is homosexual or heterosexual. However,I fear the play is limited in its scope by its Army setting and reliance on Army procedures and laws for the plot to go forward. Would it therefore appeal to an audience unfamiliar with the situations which existed in the Army in regard to homosexuality and the present day fact that homophobia is illegal?
There are lots of swearing and portrayal of sexual acts in the play so I would only recommend it for adult audiences who are interested in this genre.