OCTOBER 4 - 9 2004, BATH: The nightmare of life in the First World War trenches and the appalling sacrifice of young lives are vividly recalled in RC Sherriff's drama.

Set in a dugout on the front line, it centres on the officers and how they cope, or fail to, with the daily slaughter, awful rations, rats and other discomforts.

Stanhope the company captain is a veteran at 21 or 22. He's survived three and half years of the war and it has taken its toll on his health and nerves. Bred in the tradition of the stiff upper lip he's determined to see it through, but can only do so on a bottle of whisky a day. That in turn has inevitable effects on his emotional state.

Tom Wisdom delivers a credible and moving performance as a man teetering on the brink of breakdown. He is held together by his lieutenant, Osborne, nicknamed Uncle, for his calm and reassuring manner. Philip Franks portrays a gentle home and garden man who nonetheless has no illusions about their chances of survival.

Into the dugout one day comes a young second lieutenant, Jimmy Raleigh, fresh from officer training school, and only months out of school.

He's wangled his way into Stanhope's company because the two young men were at school together, although three years apart and were friends through their families.

He hero worships Stanhope, who in turn is horrified to see his young friend because he fears his disintegration will be obvious and Raleigh will report back to their families.

Richard Glaves creates an archetypal innocent, naive young man of the era, whose upbringing gave them no idea of the horrors of war. They thought it all 'jolly exciting' and a suicidal raid into enemy lines a 'simply topping' opportunity for glory and medals.

Glaves is at his best when he returns from the successful mission having seen his senior officer and six men blown to pieces. His shock and horror are palpable.

The dialogue does not venture into the rights and wrongs of the war and the way it was conducted but one can read volumes between the lines of anxiety, black humour, and relentless determination to pursue the conflict to its bitter end no matter what the cost.

The candle-lit set is magnificent, giving an uncomfortably realistic impression of the grubby, claustrophobic living conditions and that was the relative comfort of the officer's quarters.

The sound effects too, are unnerving, building to an unbearable crescendo at the end.

The play is clearly a set text for schools this year as the theatre was packed with school children on the first night.

The fact that the drama riveted their silent attention speaks volumes for its power.

Journey's End by RC Sherriff

Bath Theatre Royal