Not About Heroes
” directed with passionate sensitivity by Eliot Giuralarocca… Howard and Ashton give exhaustingly emotive performances…
Blackeyed Theatre’s dynamic and challenging production surpasses the conventional and excels at originality “
The Stage
” This excellent production from Blackeyed Theatre, directed by Eliot Giuralarocca, evokes beautifully the curious mixture of despair, fear, weariness and thrill of what can still be achieved “
Remote Goat
” Not About Heroes is a moving piece which has an even stronger impact this year and is thoroughly worth seeing whether you know the work of the poets or not…
Ben Ashton is superb as Owen and develops nicely from the timid, lacking in confidence admirer of Sassoon’s work into the self-assured writer that we know Owen to be. There is a deeply intimate moment when the two men are editing one of Owens poems and you can see how much their symbiotic relationship acts as a panacea for their pains. There is a strong relationship between the two actors. This striking play leaves the actors vulnerable on stage with nothing more than each other, the poetry and letters between Owen and Sassoon for security and both Howard and Ashton do not disappoint “
The Public Reviews
” the mature, appreciative audience watched with rapt attention as two actors – James Howard (Sassoon) and Ben Ashton (Owen) – played out the story of a deep friendship born amidst the ugliness of war and forged through the beauty of poetry…
Victoria Spearing’s set, of cut-out figures, served as both witness and ghosts – their shadows enhanced by the subtle lighting. This subtlety is carried through on the music, composed by Tom Neill – it is apt and unobtrusive. The sparseness worked – both in its ability to give a feeling of exposure and also to bring to the fore the real story – the friendship of two men, a meeting of minds, in extreme conditions… “
Ink Pellet
” The casting of these two very strong actors along with a master class in direction from Eliot Giuralarocca has turned what could have been a very wordy and worthy play into a wonderfully emotional theatrical experience, captivating the audience from start to finish… I would urge anyone with a vague interest in history, poetry, theatre, or even if you just enjoy a good story, to go and see this play. I’m very pleased that I did “
Do More Magazine
“ Beautifully written, produced, directed and acted…
James Howard and Ben Ashton gave faultless performances as Sassoon and Owen, performing within a creative set, complete with a very effective back projection, which enhanced this captivating piece. Stephen Macdonald’s script almost read like a well-crafted poem, packed with emotional and thought-provoking dialogue and, of course, the poetry of the futility of war by the two poets ”
Maidenhead Advertiser
” This excellent production from Blackeyed Theatre, directed by Eliot Giuralarocca, evokes beautifully the curious mixture of despair, fear, weariness and thrill of what can still be achieved “
Remote Goat
” I’ve got to say, Blackeyed Theatre consistently deliver the goods. This time they have provided an insight into the relationship of two of our most famous WW1 poets; Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. Stephen Macdonald’s play focuses on their blossoming friendship whilst both were inhabitants at a Scottish convalescence – one suffering shell shock, the other incarcerated due to his political/social leanings. All punctuated by their poetry and the letters written to one another whilst apart. They were clearly close with a deep respect and a profound enjoyment of each other’s work and mind. The war was futile, but their powerful body of work was anything but “
Brighton Latest
” an intense, stark and introspective theatrical experience “
Daily Info
“ The final moments of the play, with Owen’s dead self leaning lovingly on the grief-stricken Sassoon’s shoulder, left an indelible memory of an evening which will not easily be forgotten ”
Birmingham Post
“ There are only two actors in this play – James Howard as Sassoon and Ben Ashton as Owen – and they both play their roles with great feeling. Owen’s growth from a nervous, shaking young man to one who gains in confidence as he starts to have poems published is portrayed convincingly by Ben Ashton. It’s not the sort of play you can really say you “enjoyed”, but it’s one that stays in your mind long after the performance is over ”
Southside Advertiser