ED2015 5/5 Reviews ED2015 Theatre Reviews

The Happy Warrior (Quarter Too Ensemble)

By Lucy Diver | Published on Saturday 29 August 2015

I wept through this play, which has one of the most upsetting battle scenes I’ve ever seen. By telling the story of a bear that became part of the Polish army in WWII, the horrors of war are given a fresh impact – sad though it is, we’ve become desensitised to human suffering. Embodied by the cast members themselves, Wojtek the bear is so sympathetic that he charms the audience, as he charms the army superiors who allow him to become Private Wojtek. The physicality of the actors is impressive, and the integration of music and multi-use props makes for a bustling, lifelike production. ‘Wojtek: The Happy Warrior’ is polished and moving, but far from happy.

New Town Theatre, until 30 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Lucy Diver]