THEATRE REVIEW: Close Quarters at The Studio in Sheffield

Adiza Shardow as Private Sarah Findlay. Photo by Sam Taylor.

David Parker reviews a hard-hitting drama about women on the front, playing at The Studio until next weekend.

Sheffield Theatres and Out of Joint

Until Saturday, November 10

A WOMAN’S place is in the trenches, according to a hair-raising new play now showing in Sheffield.

Close Quarters follows Pte Sarah Findlay (Adiza Shardow) into action on the Estonia-Russia border.

She fights alongside childhood friend Pte Alison Cormack (Chloe-Ann Tylor), foul-mouthed Pte Clare Davies (Sophie Melville) and LCpl Brian Armstrong (Dylan Wood).

Under Sgt John Adeyemi (Bradley Banton) and Cpt Alison Sands (Kathryn O’Reilly), they scout the border territory as political tensions rise.

Close Quarters explores issues of race, identity, women on the front line and their relationship with male grunts, capturing the banter, humour and tension of these extraordinary young women.

Shardow does an exceptional job, considering she was called in as a last-minute replacement days before the show began its run.

Her character grapples with low self-esteem as she tries to convince her comrades others that she deserves her infantry role.

Her relationship with Pte Cormack is put under strain as the pressures of active duty mount — and Pte Davies grows annoyed at playing third wheel.

And while all three share respect for the veteran Cpt Sands, an ulterior motive for her service soon becomes apparent.

Director Kate Wasserberg and writer Catriona Craig portray a harrowing scenario for the privates as they embark on a dangerous scouting mission in the Estonian woods which almost ends in disaster.

Set designer Max Jones and lighting designer Sarah Jane Shiels’ excellent work adds to the drama of a nail-biting scene.

Close Quarters captures the drama and tension not just of being on the front line but also of living and working with close friends in highly-pressured situations.