Lotty's War Review

June 20, 2016 by Claire Cosgrove

As I made way over to The Palace Theatre on Monday evening, with the distant cheers of England fans echoing from the local bars, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people packing out the foyer for the start of a 6 day run of Lotty’s War.

I was intrigued by Lotty’s War, written by Giuliano Crispini, a story of love, courage and betrayal in difficult and exceptional circumstances. Based on a true story, the play is set on the beautiful but occupied island of Guernsey during World War II. With the last boat to England gone, Lotty is housed in close quarters with the enemy. As loyalties waver amidst the temptations of forbidden love and the politics of war, does Lotty dare to tread a passionate and dangerous path to save a friend?

Having always been rather fascinated by the personal perspectives of war and human emotion, I was pleased to see that the play concentrated on the stories of just three individuals; Lotty, played by Victoria Emslie, whose naivety and innocence makes way to a more complex and troubled woman as the play progresses, Ben De Carteret, convincingly portrayed by Mat Ruttle, a young Guern who resists the Germans at every turn and the German General Rolf Bernberg, wonderfully performed by Ian Reddington. Three different perspectives and all as thought provoking as the next.

There is a rare intensity on the stage as tension lies so close to the surface and there was no doubt that the audience are gripped throughout. There were even audible gasps of disapproval at the start of Act 2 as we see the relationship between Lotty and Rolf develop.

The play does not ask anyone to take sides but more to ask the question, what would you do in this situation? A question that has troubled me since the curtain fell.

The play is beautifully written and wonderfully performed by the cast with special praise for Ian Reddington whose understated and often chilling performance really captured the essence of the play for me. A thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking evening. If you need a break from the endless football, this is a worthy alternative!

Lotty’s War
Palace Theatre, Southend-on-Sea
Mon 20 - Sat 25 Jun

Running time 1 hour 45 minutes.
Suitable for ages 11+