Condensing 503 pages of a bestselling novel into a tight drama just shy of three hours long sounds like an impossible task, but Rachel Wagstaff's adaption of Sebastian Faulks's much-loved Birdsong is both skilful and deeply moving, losing none of the emotional impact of the book, retaining its heart and spirit.
The same set serves as the backdrop to both a privileged pre-war France, where the young Stephen Wraysford has been sent to learn from factory owner Azaire - and a very different France, where the fields have been scarred with trenches and the sound of gunfire and shelling is a constant soundtrack.
It is perhaps Wagstaff's greatest achievement that she seamlessly moves between the two with no loss of clarity, the memories of Stephen's doomed love affair with Azaire's wife cleverly interwoven with the claustrophobia of the trenches as Stephen, beaten and depleted, prepares for the Battle of the Somme.
The narrative never falters and every character is brought efficiently to life in a just a few brushstrokes, a line or two that quickly establishes both who and what they are - from the terrified new recruit Michael Tipper to the autocratic and abusive Azaire, from the beautiful and conflicted Isabelle to the heartbreaking dignity of sapper Jack Firebrace, and every relationship is beautifully and concisely drawn - Firebrace's with his wife and son just as much as Stephen's with Isabelle and, in the end, Stephen's with his men - and we see that love all too often exacts a high price.
Directed by Alastair Whatley, Birdsong stars Edmund Wiseman as Stephen Wraysford, Peter Duncan as Jack Firebrace and Emily Bowker as Isabelle Azaire in three genuinely moving performances that I defy you to watch without a tear in your eye. James Findlay plays Cartwright and provides a deeply affecting and haunting musical counterpoint. Other roles are played by Liam McCormick, Roger Martin, James Staddon, Cloudia Swann, Emily Altneu, Max Bowden and Selma Brook.
The Courtyard run offers a rare opportunity to catch a major touring production in the city - and it's one you don't want to miss.
To book for Birdsong, which runs until Saturday, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk
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