BirdsongWhile staying as the guest of a factory owner in pre-First World War France, Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate affair with Isabelle, the wife of his host. The affair changes them both for ever.A few years later Stephen finds himself back in the same part of France, but this time as a soldier in the Battle of the Somme, the bloodiest encounter in British military history. As his men die around him, Stephen turns to his enduring love for Isabelle for the strength to continue and to save something for future generations. For the first time, this beautiful and terrible story about love, courage and the endurance of the human spirit is brought to the stage in a version by Rachel Wagstaff, directed by famed director Trevor Nunn. |
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Common terms and phrases
ADAMS Amiens ARTHUR SHAW Auchonvillers AZAIRE appears BARMAN Beat BÉRARD bloody blow Boche body BRENNAN brother can’t Captain Gray cigarette COLONEL BARCLAY didn’t EVANS explosion factory father fucking GERMAN SOLDIER girls in blue Goes to STEPHEN He’s hear heard Hello I’ve ISABELLE appears ISABELLE AZAIRE ISABELLE leaves ISABELLE’s JACK and SHAW JACK kneels JACK’s JEANNE kiss knife LAMM laughs letter LEVI light LISETTE and GRÉGOIRE listen little girls louder Ma’amselle Madame Maman MARGUERITE MILITARY POLICEMAN Monsieur Wraysford notepad numbers NURSE Pause pray PROSTITUTE River Somme sappers SCENE sentry duty SHAW appears SHAW leaves Silence sing sorry sound of birdsong sound of shelling STEPHEN hands STEPHEN looks STEPHEN takes STEPHEN WRAYSFORD tell Thank there’s They’re Tim van Eyken TIPPER leaves told Trevor Nunn tunnel TURNER turns to go walk watergardens We’ll What’s workers wouldn’t you’ll You’re