Privates on Parade

By Robert Iles - 11th Dec 2012

Privates on Parade is the first in a season of five plays directed by Michael Grandage at the Noel Coward Theatre. First staged in 1977, the play centres on the experiences of SADUSEA, the Song And Dance Unit South East Asia, during the Malaysian Emergency following the Second World War. The show lampoons homophobia, racism, sexism and casual violence through the character of Sgt Major Drummond, a deeply unlikeable character who is the essence of every clichéd bigot you've ever come across.

Leading the merry band of players is flamboyant cross-dresser Captain Terri Dennis, played with relish by Simon Russell Beale. Russell Beale is triumphant in this role, each nod and wink, each aside and each "Jessica Christ!" brilliantly pitched and it's those small nuances of character and the off line reactions that make him truly great to watch.

I will confess that I found the first half slightly patchy in terms of pace, but I did see a preview and have no doubt that it will settle beautifully. This is a worthy start to this Michael Grandage season and my ticket for 'Peter and Alice' is already booked.