Words: Haneul Lee

4 stars

When entering the space for Jack, the first thing you notice is Stephen Wale seated, staring disoriented into the distance. The performance begins with Wale standing, remaining on his feet for the entirety of the show—just him and his words, delivering a poignant account of a World War One veteran’s life. The story is even more powerful knowing it’s based on the real-life experiences of Wale’s late uncle.

Jack is an ordinary young boy, desperate to serve his country despite his parents’ objections. Dissatisfied with his apprenticeship, he fakes his name and enlistment papers to fight on the frontlines. The play’s strength lies in Wale’s dynamic performance, flickering between the present and past, from home life to the frontlines. He skilfully captures the chaos of war, the tension mounting as Jack struggles to make sense of it all. However, as the performance races through Jack’s life, there’s barely space to breathe—blink, and you’ll miss it. The pacing is relentless, and this slight issue can leave the audience overwhelmed.

Eventually, we catch up to Jack’s present, in a psychiatric institution where he’s been since 1922. The fast pacing mirrors the frenzy in Jack’s mind, but it also means moments that might benefit from a pause are rushed. Despite this, the performance remains impactful, pulling us into Jack’s fragmented reality—a haunting glimpse into the toll of war that lingers long after the fighting stops.

Jack
theSpace @ Surgeons Hall
13:10
23-24 Aug