Oh What A Lovely War!

It's 1914 and Europe is on the brink of war. Your king and country need you, so be a real man, enlist today! But the propaganda promise of valour and victory is quickly revealed to be a fatal myth, as the donkeys in command send the lions on the front line to die with mind-blowing arrogance and incompetence. Throughout it all, they keep on singing!

Below are the photographs of the cast in the production. The biggest Bruiser cast so far was made up of Polly Barrett, Richard Clements, Michael Condron, Sharon Mannion, Julie Maxwell, Niamh McGowan, Faolan Morgan, Ben Morris and Patrick J. O'Reilly. We were delighted to mark the return of some Bruiser stalwarts and welcome several great actors to our company for the first time. Niamh took part in Bruiser's Level 2 Summer School in 2008 and 'Oh what A Lovely War' was her first professional acting role.

'Oh What A Lovely War' is a moving, funny, lyrical evocation of the tragedy and pathos of the First World War; one of the most futile and ferocious conflicts in history. Armed with sketches, songs and stories, a cast of Pierrot clowns mix their sombre buffoonery with the bawdy, tough humour of the lads on the front line, to take you on an incredible journey across Europe: from the optimism of the British home front to the blood-soaked fields of Flanders. Along the way the story is marked by a fantastic collection of songs from the Great War - 'Pack Up Your Troubles', 'Keep The Home Fires Burning' and 'It's A Long Way To Tipperary'. 'Oh What A Lovely War' is a groundbreaking and stunning examination of a conflict that wiped out a whole generation of young men throughout Europe.

Still as relevant today as when it was first seen in London in 1963, this brilliant, satirical musical is one of the great landmarks of post-war British theatre. This show epitomised the best and most vital theatre produced by Bruiser Theatre Company over the last decade.

Critics Review

  "4 stars out of 5."
   Review - 'The Sunday Business Post'

  "Brilliant! Wonderful theatre experience."
   Audience Feedback Form, Old Museum Arts Centre

  "Director Lisa May...should be applauded for turning her hand 
   to yet another exceptional production for Bruiser. The Belfast-
   based Company packs many punches with a sterling cast of Pierrot 
   clowns who bring the satire to life through sharp acting and a 
   chorus of strong voices...It'd be a tragedy to miss it."
   Review - 'Irish News'

  "Fantastic, slick, skilled, perfection!"
   Audience Feedback Form, Ardhowen Theatre

  "What a great show last night.  It was funny, moving, seamless 
   and very, very well acted and directed.  Such a talented bunch 
   of actors I have not seen in one show at the same time. Many        
   congratulations to all concerned."
   Email to Bruiser after Waterfront performance

  "Thanks!  Superb!  Fantastic!  You keep surpassing yourselves!"
   Audience Feedback Form, Derry Playhouse

  "I have just returned from watching your current production 
   'Oh What a Lovely War' and hasten to send you my sincere 
   congratulations on an excellent production.  Well done to 
   all involved! I'm just about to e-mail a friend to tell him 
   he must go and see it."
   Email to Bruiser after OMAC performance

  "This is physical theatre at its finest...Commandingly directed 
   by Lisa May, the play evokes strong emotional responses without 
   drifting into sentimentality...The performances are universally    
   excellent...By turns bawdry and touching, the songs retain a 
   vibrancy that belies their age.....this excellent production is 
   a fitting tribute to those who went to their graves in the first 
   world war, and a damning indictment of those who sent them there."
   Review - 'Culture Northern Ireland'

  "Superb, superb, superb!  World class standard!"
   Audience Feedback Form, Ardhowen Theatre

  "Just wanted to drop you a line to say that I was at 'Oh What 
   a Lovely War' on Monday night at OMAC and was blown away. It 
   was fantastic - cast and singing were brilliant...I've been 
   recommending it to everyone!"
   Facebook message to Bruiser after OMAC performance

  "Entertaining but deeply moving.  A wonderful night's theatre."
   Audience Feedback Form, Linenhall Arts Centre

Below is a selection of photographs of the cast and crew, hard at work in the rehearsal process.

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