Most will know From Here To Eternity for its film adaptation of the James Jones novel. In 2013, it got a musical adaptation with Music and Lyrics by Stuart Bryson and Tim Rice and a book by Bill Oaks. Nine years on from its limited run, after some reworking and an updated score, it gets an Off West-End revival at the Charing Cross Theatre, writes Christopher Peacock.
The most interesting thing about the stage adaptation is that it goes back to the original, uncensored novel without the profanity and references to gay prostitution expunged. It was only with the republishing of the novel in 2011 that these scenes and details came back to the page, and in this particular theatrical reworking, director Brett Smock certainly amps up the violence and seediness of life in and around the Hawaiian military barracks just weeks out from the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour.
The story is of G Company but mainly follows that of First Sergeant Milt Warden who is having an affair with the Karen, the captain’s wife, and Private Robert E Lee Prewitt who has fallen in love with Lorene a prostitute at Mrs Kipfers club.
The show’s most compelling moments come with its opening and closing scenes that play out the devastation of the attack on the harbour. The lighting and soundscape throw us into the horrifying action, however, the slow motion sequences nearly push it into the realms of clichéd melodrama.
The performances from the cast are all strong but the first half certainly plays long without delivering much action or giving any depth to the characters. The starring number is the sorrowful ‘The Boys of 41′, delivered movingly by Lorene, Mrs Kipfer and Karen who are placed on the balcony above the boys in a moving scene.
Stuart J. Charlesworth’s set design places the stage in between two banks of audience. This, with some clunky direction, creates a disconnect, as scenes are played out to everybody and nobody at all.
Even from a mere technical point of the singing and music being too loud, this leads to what should be a star of the show – Tim Rice’s lyrics – being lost in the mix.
From Here To Eternity has seen many changes from its first foray on the stage in 2013 and there is certainly room for improvement here.
Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL until 17th December. Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm; Wednesday & Saturday matinee 2.30pm; Sunday matinee 3.00pm. Admission: £25 – £54.50
www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk – 08444 930 650
Watch footage by Ben Hewis from the show: https://vimeo.com/769439753/5e1d545ee9
