Luscombe takes on Arms and the Man

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Monday 30th Jan 2006.

OPENING the new season's productions at Salisbury Playhouse this week is George Bernard Shaw's popular comedy, Arms and the Man.

Arms and the Man was Shaw's first big success of a play when it was produced in London in 1894, establishing the playwright as one of the wittiest around at the time.

Set in war-torn Bulgaria in 1885, the play is now more than 100 years old, yet its themes of love and war are just as valid today as in the late 19th Century.

Established theatre director Christopher Luscombe makes his debut at Salisbury, and says the play is entirely relevant for today.

"Its themes are incredibly topical, in the light of the war in Iraq, and any play about love is accessible and universal," he says.

"It is predominantly an anti-war play, suggesting that war is not glorious and exciting, but bloody, painful and ghastly, something which should not be undertaken in any necessity.

"There is a moment at the beginning of the play, when the family are thrilled to think their men have gone off to fight the Serbians, suggesting that life can be controlled and manufactured."

"The play is also anti-romantic. The characters begin with a romantic view of love and marriage, but the chivalry is debunked in the course of the play," he adds.

Although there are elements of farce in the play, says Christopher, "it has got real substance."

"Shaw makes his points through comedy, and there is plenty to think about in it. It is so well written and Shaw was such a great theatre writer."

Eight actors perform Arms and the Man with a set designed by Janet Bird.

"It is going to look very, very pretty," says Christopher.

"It is unusual in Shaw's work because it has an Eastern European theme in it, unlike other Shaw plays which are Victorian.

"I am also using gypsy and Bulgarian music in the production."

Among Christopher Luscombe's directorial credits include Alan Bennett's The Lady in the Van starring Susan Hampshire, which toured in 2004 and 2005 for Theatre Royal, Bath. He also directed the Oxford Stage Company's production of The Importance of Being Earnest, starring Wendy Craig which toured to Theatre Royal, Bath.

Olivia Darnley, who played Cicely Cardew in that production, is working with Christopher again in Arms and the Man as Raina Petkoff.

Raina is the girl who protects her chocolate cream soldier', the mercenary who quite literally falls through her window one night, setting the train of events in motion.

Arms and the Man opens on Thursday, February 2 and runs in the main house until Saturday, February 25.

The production then tours to Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and Windsor's Theatre Royal.

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