Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag
By Toby Schmitz. Critical Stages and Tamarama Rock Surfers. Parramatta Riverside Theatre (May 24 – 28, 2011) and touring Regional NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

What is it about our funding bodies that moves them to tour plays about people trapped underground or underwater to regional centres?

This year it is Capture The Flag, a play about members of the Hitler Youth stuck in a drain in Berlin at the end of World War 2. Last year it was about trapped Russian submariners in The Kursk.

Neither, apparently, sets the box office on fire.

The inner city types at Critical Stages who choose the plays to promote seem to enjoy these dark and brooding stories more than their suburban and country counterparts.

I found Capture the Flag to be an intriguing evening.

On the positive side an excellent set, crisp sound effects and dark lighting transported the audience to a cesspit in Berlin.

It has a strong acting ensemble

Three boys Robin Goldsworthy as Albert, Sam O’Sullivan as Herret and Tom Stokes as Karl debate whether they should venture outside.

All are portrayed as victims of a system of indoctrination and although I am not in the habit of feeling sorry for Nazis they do command empathy to varying extents.

It comes as a shock when their age is finally revealed, having heard them discuss everything from sex to suicide.

No doubt boys in their shoes did their lose their innocence too young.

They are joined by a girl character, Mathilde played by Sophie Webb, who chooses to live amongst the rats rather than risk the wrath of Russian soldiers.

A ray of light soon shines into what is a damp and chilling evening.

David Spicer

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