"Birdsong" by Sebastian Faulks.

Stage version by Rachel Wagstaff.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire, who is married to factory owner Rene. It's a torrid affair that turns both of their worlds upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes, quite literally, around him.

The story is told in three acts and starts with Wraysford, a young English factory supervisor, sent to France before the war.

Act Two jumps ahead a few years to the Allied trenches of the Western Front during the First World War. Wraysford has lost Isabelle and carries the pain with him into his life as an army officer. 

The final act reunites Wraysford and Isabelle but does everything turn out the way they want?

This review is not going to be a long one, and you'll see why that is.

No words that I write will ever say what a brilliant show this is, what an emotional show this is, what a powerful show this is or what a beautiful show this is, so I won't even try. It's possibly the most powerful piece of war based theatre that I've seen on stage, and that includes "War Horse" and "All Quiet On The Western Front". This show is a love story which also holds a mirror up to the futile horrors and atrocities of war.

Like many of the productions that I have had the pleasure of seeing of late, this is one of those wonderful ensemble pieces of theatre where no one actor stands out from another; they are a tight band of actors who tell a wonderfully emotive story. It's a story that I have not read and I've not seen the film either so this was completely new to me, and what a first impression it made. I could not wait to get to my feet at the end to show my complete appreciation of an incredible cast and a painfully emotional story.

James Esler is Stephen Wraysford. James makes his professional stage debut in this role, and what a way to do so by baring not just your soul on stage, but everything else. The passion this man has for this role is so very plain to see, and he will make you feel every emotion that his character goes through.

Max Bowden features as Jack Firebrace. I have never seen Max in "Eastenders" because I don't watch this soap, but what an actor he is. There are scenes that Max plays that will leave you feeling drained of emotion, especially the letters that he receives from his wife back home, and the final scenes with Wraysford. 

Charlie Russell plays Isabelle Azaire. This play just oozes class actors and Charlie's portrayal of this particular character is breath taking.

Joseph Benjamin Baker as Evans/Levi, Raif Clarke as Tipper, James Findlay as Brennan, Dave Fishley as Turner, Gracie Follows as Lisette, Sulin Hasso as Marguerite, Tama Phethean as Shaw/LeBrun, Natalie Radmall-Quirke as Jeanne, Roger Ringrose as Bérard/Barclay and Sargon Yelda as René Azaire/Gray.

I know that I said that I didn't need to mention individuals but Raif Clarke makes you feel for his tender character years and the pressure that Tipper is under, especially after a certain revelation later on the play.

Roger Ringrose provides much of the comedy in the first act, but he allows you to see the dark underbelly of his comic exterior in a certain way he has with responses.

Sargon Yelda also delivers a dark side of his character perfectly, contrasting with his secondary character.

Both the above French characters are depicted as racist and caveman-esque in their attitude to women, the complete opposite of the gentlemanly British Wraysford.

Another aspect of the emotional feel of this production is the musical side of the show. There's a beautiful folk soundtrack for this show which all adds to the sadness of the themes of "Birdsong". James Findlay, a wonderful folk singer/songwriter whose music I've been a fan of for many years now, and have had the pleasure of chatting to him on my radio show, several years ago, leads the vocal segments and makes the hairs on your neck and arms tingle.

Alastair Whatley is the Director of "Birdsong" and also the Artistic Director of Original Theatre.

Design is by Richard Kent, and is initially minimal, but that is no bad thing because we allow ourselves to focus on the characters and the story. Props are introduced to the set throughout, and with the additional stage smoke effects and the scenes of the battle trenches, you really get the full effect of war. There are claustrophobic scenes where the men are climbing through narrow tunnels really leave you feeling constricted, also providing a real sensory overall effect from watching.

Lighting by Jason Taylor and sound by Dominic Bilkey really complete this sensory experience. There were people all over the auditorium jumping at the loud blasts and explosions, and combined with the incredible lighting effects, you felt as though you were really in the thick of battle, creating unease all round.

The play's running time is three hours, which also includes two breaks. This is to separate the three time periods. There is also nudity and sexual scenes in the first section, so if a naked bottom or breast offends, don't buy a ticket. The nude scenes are choreographed well so that you don't get to see too much flesh, which is also hidden in shadows, thanks to the lighting design.

I have tried not to give too much of the story away, but I absolutely loved this emotion filled production and would advise theatre fans everywhere to grab yourself a ticket.

"Birdsong" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 19 October.