Black Watch

As part of the wonderful 2008 season of the VA Arts Festival, we had the pleasure of seeing the moving play "Black Watch" at Norfolk's Scope Arena this afternoon. In a word: it was intense. The play was action from beginning to end! This is a production of the National Theatre of Scotland and is touring internationally. Norfolk is the better for their stop here.

What is the Black Watch?

In the autumn of 2004, 800 members of the storied Scots regiment, the Black Watch, shipped out for Iraq. Their mission: to replace 4,000 American Marines. The story of their experience is told in this shattering play, inspired by interviews with members of the regiment upon their return to Scotland. Brilliantly utilizing sound, lighting, and video, spoken word, tightly choreographed movement, and searing stagecraft, Black Watch engulfs the audience in the experience of the war—and ushers us into the hearts of the young men who willingly went, valiantly fought, and returned to sort out the aftermath of the war on terror.

Here is a trailer....