Those Magnificent Men

Brian Mitchell and Dave Mounfield star as Alcock and Brown, the first people to fly non-stop across the Atlantic in June, 1919, in this hilarious and heartwarming play. Joseph Nixon and Mitchell’s script manages to amuse, entertain and inform without ever being disingenuous to the two aviators who risked their lives for king, country and £10,000 – “But it was never about the money”. This is a comedy, first and foremost, but a respectful one. The sparse, yet inventive set design captures perfectly the rickety nature of the pair’s biplane and Mitchell and Mounfield successfully take us on their perilous journey with them, while simultaneously breaking the fourth wall at regular intervals to question Alcock and Brown’s seemingly lost legacy. This was the first outing of this new production of the 2010 play, but with two consummate performers I’d look out for it touring soon as tickets are going to fly.

The Lewes Con Club, 24 September 2015

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