Oh! What a Lovely War, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton

Oh! What a Lovely War takes some time to get into. Originally written to highlight the absurdities of war in general and the First World War in particular, it certainly left the audience in a reflective and thoughtful mood last weekend in Sturminster Newton.

The town's Amateur Dramatics Society's director Felicity Harrison had chosen the piece for exactly those reasons.

As cast members switched between roles and factions, the reliable Ian Greig tied things together with his well-timed narration.

Some of the soloists may have been a little weak, but their emotional renditions of war time tunes were spot on.

It bodes well for Sturminster that their new facility will provide a platform for these more ambitious productions.