Review: And Then Come the Nightjars (Theatre Royal BSE)

The award-winning play And Then Come the Nightjars was the latest piece presented by the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds in their initiative to showcase the best plays of the last ten years.

And what a phenomenal play it is. Set initially in 2001, amid the foot-and-mouth disease crisis which saw millions of animals slaughtered in an attempt to control the outbreak, it's a darkly funny but unflinching snapshot of rural life as it follows the sometimes tumultuous friendship between farmer Michael (David Hounslow) and vet Jeff (Antony Eden) as they both deal with the fall-out of the disease and their personal crises.

The play begins with Michael eagerly anticipating the birth of some new calves to add to his prized cattle, which following the recent and untimely death of his beloved wife, is all the more important to him. Michael's vet and long-time pal Jeff talks to him about the impending outbreak, but he's not taken seriously.

Image by Tom Soper Photography

However, the worst case scenario occurs, and hearing that less than ideal cattle slaughter practices have occurred in other locations, Jeff takes it upon himself to try and ensure Michael's herd is despatched in the most humane way possible. A still grieving Michael doesn't see it this way, threatening Jeff and the authorities with a shotgun, ultimately in vain, as his herd are stunned and added to the pyre in front of his eyes.

While the friends' relationship is understandably strained by this turn of events, their eventual reconciliation is a beautiful thing, with each helping the other with their own personal grief in a tale equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Image by Tom Soper Photography

Hounslow and Eden forged a lovely odd-couple chemistry as they brought their bickering, bantering characters to life, in a frankly flawless performance. Both at various points had a standout, impassioned speech, but it was Hounslow's aching, grief-addled plea for the lives of his cattle which brought tears to my eyes.

A shout-out also to Jessica Curtis' wonderfully detailed set, showing the inside of the cow barn which later turns into an attic room, which enhanced the at-times cloying atmosphere.

While the actors rightly took a well-earned bow, my thoughts also turned to the incredible talent of writer Bea Roberts, who managed to concisely pack huge amounts of drama, raw, visceral emotion, and a heap of dark humour into a piece lasting little over an hour. An extraordinary feat.

It is simply a must-see piece of theatre. And Then Come the Nightjars continues at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds until 21 March.