It is a couple weeks leading up to the Pearl Harbour attack which got the U.S. into WWII. Soldiers are stationed there unaware what lies ahead, in the new production of ‘From Here to Eternity.’
Each soldier has their own hang ups – boxing champion Prew Prewitt (Jonathon Bentley) refuses to box. His captain – Holmes (Alan Turkington) subjects Prew to a grueling series of punishments while, unknown to Holmes, his sergeant – Warden (Adam Rhys-Charles) is having an affair with his lonely wife (Carley Stenson). All this drama, and more, including prostitutes and queers, all takes place on the center stage of the theatre.
‘From Here to Eternity’ starts out creakingly bad but slowly redeems itself as the love story unfolds between Prew and lady of the night Lorene (Desmonda Cathabel), meanwhile others are charged with being seen going into a house where queers hang out. And we all know how it ends – Dec. 6, 1941.
The cast are all ok – Bentley is in fine firm as is Turkington and Stenson, but the choreography and direction are a bit clumsy as at times there are too many actors on the small stage, and the actors seem to be unsure of which direction to speak and sing to, and some are just going through the motions. ‘From Here to Eternity’ is a mediocre show that could use a bit more something, can’t quite put my finger on it.
This is Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson’s first London revival of this show.
‘From Here To Eternity’ will run from 29 October – 17th December 2022.
Photo by Mark Senior
