Published: 4 March 2010
by EMMA KLEIN

THERE is a contemporary twist in Arms and the Man, Bernard Shaw’s first popular success. 

It is set at the end of the Balkan war between Serbia and Bulgaria in the late 19th century – admittedly very different from the conflicts dominating the news headlines of our times, but the issue of soldiers having to fight with inadequate arms or equipment is familiar.

What – quite rightly – is missing today is the glamour attributed to warfare, which Shaw so effectively discredits. 

Sergius, the wealthy suitor of Raina Petkoff, daughter of one of the leading families in a small Bulgarian town, is hailed for leading a cavalry charge that led to the defeat of the Serbs. 

On hearing the news from her proud mother, Raina, who had been ambivalent about her feelings for Sergius, declares she loves her “hero”. However, when a Swiss mercenary in Serb uniform finds refuge on her balcony, it is clear that this is the man she loves. As well as being a romantic hero, Bluntschli, the experienced, down-to-earth soldier, exposes the fallacy of apparent military glory. 

Michael Friend’s production is a delight. Lane Paul Stewart makes the less than heroic Sergius a figure young peo­ple today could identi­fy with in his relentless analysis of his failings. Emily Holden is a seduc­tive Louka, while Dot Smith and Nick Fawcett as Raina’s parents bring a touch of humour to their roles.

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