The Stage

Stovepipe

Published Tuesday 10 March 2009 at 10:55 by Aleks Sierz

War is a great business opportunity. Adam Brace’s thrilling new play, Stovepipe, takes us on a trip through the world of mercenary soldiers and private security firms operating in the aftermath of the Iraq War. Set in the Jordanian capital, Amman, it follows the misfortunes of an Englishman, Alan, a Scotsman, Eddy, and a Welshman, Grif.

All three ex-soldiers sign up to work as private security contractors, but when - following a routine mission which goes horribly wrong - Eddy disappears, Alan goes looking for him, and his employers, especially Carolyn, the boss’s wife, have to deal with two loose cannons.

Brace writes this powerful piece with immense conviction. He explores not only the military mind-set, and the commercial pressures of mercenary work, but also the relationships between the three men. Although the emotional bonds between them sustain their fighting, each of them is also shown as vulnerable and unable to live up to their macho image.

Brilliantly directed by Michael Longhurst, Stovepipe is staged in a massive subterranean space deep inside the West 12 shopping centre in Shepherd’s Bush. After being admitted to the Project Rebuild Iraq conference, the audience is led down dingy corridors and emerges in a series of spaces - from conference hall to hotel bedroom, and from street convoy to bar - that are constantly surprising and usually unsettling.

In this eerie space, the promenade production always feels dangerous, and this feeling is greatly enhanced by the convincing cast, led by Shaun Dooley as the likable but edgy Alan, with Niall MacGregor as Eddy and Eleanor Matsuura as Carolyn and two other female roles. With Christian Bradley and Sargon Yelda doubling in other roles, the small cast superbly brings to life a world whose unpredictability is perfected recreated in this brilliant staging.