Funny, dark, but what a lovely ... show

ATTENTION: A German officer (left, Patrick McKenna) and soldier (Scott Neilsen) encounter the narrator (Colin Palmer).PHOTOS/ANDREW BONALLACK

With the centenary of the first Anzac landing approaching, Harlequin Theatre is inviting the public to reflect on the tragedy of war - while enjoying some "lovely songs" and quirky performances.

The theatre is performing Oh What a Lovely War! to begin its 2015 season, directed by Marilyn Bouzaid and starring an experienced cast.

Oh What a Lovely War!, which Miss Bouzaid describes as a "musical black comedy", was first developed by the Joan Littlewood Theatre Company in 1963 as a theatrical homage to the "vulgarity" of war.

She said she hoped the timing of the play with the Anzac centenary would get audiences contemplating the grim realities of World War I among the celebrations.

"What it highlights more than anything is the futility of war - all the people killed for a small patch of land, and the generals who didn't know what they were doing," Miss Bouzaid said.

"There are some very funny scenes, but there is a tinge of sadness when you see what's actually going on.

"On a superficial level, audiences will enjoy the music and acting, but we're hoping people will leave with something to think about."

Oh What A Lovely War! chronicles events from World War I through the eyes of army officers of various nationalities, and their supporters and detractors.

The war begins with jolly support for "the boys", but the atmosphere becomes darker as the play progresses and the death toll rises.

Miss Bouzaid said the theatre will run slides featuring images and statistics from World War I, as a foil to the patriotism expressed by the main characters.

"For example, we've got a slide that comes up saying 2.5 million men died in this one battle," she said.

"And then we've got the character of General Haig saying, 'Thank you, God - the attack was a great success.

"It's very cheery indeed, but there's a background of real horrors."

She said the play has plenty of comic moments - such as French soldiers lazily refusing to charge, and British officers trying to communicate with their French counterparts over directions - interspersed with popular songs of the period, such as Pack Up Your Troubles, The Bells of Hell Go Ting-a-ling-ling and Keep the Home Fires Burning.

These are juxtaposed with more moving scenes, such as Christmas Day in the trenches, and nurses singing hymns to their patients.

Miss Bouzaid said she directed Oh What a Lovely War! while teaching at Wairarapa College, but wanted to try it in a more intimate space.

Her cast of 18 are mostly "seasoned" performers, playing several different characters and switching between German, English, French and Irish accents with ease.

"They're very talented.

"I don't have to worry about teaching them the harmonies - they just go for it."

-Oh What a Lovely War! opens on Thursday April 9 and runs until April 18. Most shows start at 8pm, but there will be a 4pm matinee on Sunday April 12.