Toy Soldier: A Powerful Blend of History and Humanity

At Waterloo East TheatreToy Soldier immerses its audience in a harrowing yet deeply human tale set against the backdrop of the Falklands conflict. Written by Helen Goodman and Joseph Dewey, this world premiere delves into the fragile bonds of family, the weight of long-buried secrets, and the far-reaching impact of war.

The story begins in July 2002, as Jane returns to the Falkland Islands to pack up her childhood home following her motherā€™s death. Lucy Bromilow anchors the play with a quietly commanding performance as Jane, carrying the weight of grief and decades of unresolved tension. As she packs away her past, we are drawn into her memories of the Falklands War in 1982, where teenage Jane and her younger brother Billy navigate the fear, isolation, and emotional turbulence brought by the ten-week conflict.

Michael Tantrum brings a thoughtful vulnerability to Billy, a boy desperate to find his own way while tethered to the struggles of his family. His scenes with Bromilow are filled with an unspoken tension, capturing the complex push and pull of sibling relationships. Spin Glancyā€™s Mark is a quietly menacing presence, effortlessly embodying the charm and danger of a character who unsettles Jane at every turn. Nico Conde offers a hauntingly understated portrayal, his presence widening the narrative lens and reminding the audience of the broader scope of the conflict.

Toy Soldier leaves an indelible impression, weaving the scars of war into the fragile bonds of family

The staging is deceptively simple yet striking, with stacked boxes serving as a blank canvas for memories, homes, and war zones. Projections of wartime news footage bring a chilling immediacy, grounding the personal story within the historical context. This minimalist approach ensures that the performances remain central, while the clever use of projections and sound deepens the emotional resonance of the piece.

The venue itself adds an unexpected layer to the production. Nestled beneath a railway arch, Waterloo East Theatre occasionally rumbles with the sound of passing trains. While entirely unplanned, these moments feel eerily fitting, echoing the distant thunder of war or the tremors of buried trauma. It is a rare example of an accidental element becoming integral to the atmosphere.

Helen Goodman, in her London directorial debut, brings a sharp yet sensitive perspective to the production. As the first female director to tackle the Falklands conflict on stage, her approach ensures that the emotional weight of the story is never overshadowed by its historical backdrop. Her direction draws out the nuances of the charactersā€™ relationships, ensuring the play remains as much about the people at its heart as it is about the war that shaped them.


Final Thoughts ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…

Would I recommend Toy Soldier? Without hesitation. This is theatre that leaves an impression, weaving history with a profoundly human story of family, survival, and the scars left behind by conflict. Helen Goodmanā€™s direction feels assured and empathetic, bringing out the emotional depth of the narrative while the inventive staging creates a space that feels intimate yet expansive.

It is the kind of theatre that stirs both the heart and the mind, offering a captivating blend of humanity and history. For those drawn to powerful storytelling or theatre that explores the echoes of the past, Toy Soldier is well worth seeing. Quietly powerful and deeply poignant, it deserves a place among the best new dramas of the year.

Playing at Waterloo East Theatre until 2 February 2025.


Disclaimer: A complimentary ticket was provided in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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