Centring on an apparently forgotten moment of Depression history (the rebellion of poverty-stricken WWI veterans), ‘Why Do You Stand There in the Rain?’ was, in the great tradition of (post-)war narratives, more than a little baffling. Not only do the years pass and the settings change at a disorientating rate, but this ambitious scope was matched by a tone that swung from all-singing, all-wise-cracking to emotionally harrowing far too quickly. What clarity there was came from the brilliant cast – particular props to the veteran with a head-injury, who disguised some ridiculously heavy-handed characterisation until the very last moment.

C, 1-11 Aug, 12.50pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [Rachel Aroesti]