Review: The Trench Pleasance Courtyard (venue 33)

There is no disputing the horrors of trench life during the First World War, just as there is no disputing how atmospherically Les Enfants Terribles portray it in their new show. Dark, dank and smoky, the stage sets the scene perfectly.

Star rating: * * *

But while The Trench is visually striking, a number of theatrical decisions taken by the company lessen the emotional impact this show could and should have.

The lead character, Bert, has a tragic story all of his own. Yet the poetic language he uses to convey his tale is spoken in the third person, and his delivery starts at a high level and stays there, with no shades of light and dark. Sadness needs the counterbalance of prior happiness to hit home, but little is made of Bert’s back-story or camaraderie with fellow soldiers.

What does work well is the staging; in particular, a scene where Bert traverses a field filled with dead and dying men is powerful and innovative. So, too, is the beautiful shadow puppetry, but ultimately The Trench feels like a triumph of style over content.

Until 27 August. Today 1:10pm.