Initially appearing as an agreeable, if somewhat overplayed piece of World War II era stage comedy; The Darkling Plain quickly reveals itself as a broadly drawn satire on the war on terror and the current American – British relationship.
Following three English families who each send a son to fight in the ‘anticipatory self-defense’ invasion of Alyria, the production is pure reference to 1940’s films, Noel Coward, the swing era, and itself. Playing out within this is the satire, playwright Bea Roberts taking firm shots at the US’s expansionistic use of war and the UK’s unquestioning allegiance.
The middle-eastern Alyria, fictional to the point of non-existence, is presented merely as a place where British soldiers are killed by American friendly fire. “I guess it’s not so bad, I’d hate to be blown up by someone who harbored feelings of actual malice towards me.”
It’s not easy to make these things funny, but The Darkling Plain succeeds, while managing to shade it all with sadness and forbidden love.
The juxtaposition of scenes does sometimes have more the feel of skit comedy than narrative, but this is generally used to good comic effect, well delivered by the actors.
You’ll laugh, quite possibly cry, and though it might have all been said before, it probably wasn’t presented this uniquely or enjoyably.
4/5 
Daniel Connell
