War is hell. We have heard it a thousand times. And not just any one war, but all wars are hell, in their own particular way. The First World War is no different: trenches, mud, rain, dysentery, gangrene, mustard gas, shell shock and of course the hundreds of thousands of deaths for no territorial gain. A seemingly pointless conflict full of senseless waste: absurdity in the very sense of the word.
How could anyone have survived those appalling conditions mentally? In part, Narrow explores the concept of how men trapped in the trenches would have coped. Escapism, denial, distractions, games, they all divert attention from the surrounds, but ultimately if someone is exposed to anything for long enough, no matter how horrible, it will become a habit. This is the tragedy of war: that something so hideous could become a norm.
But does it end there? Hell is perpetual. As is war. The First World War was a terrible event, but have we ever stopped doing such things to each other? As the play continues time collapses and the characters find themselves caught not only in the First World War, but in every war throughout history. And here’s the terrifying thing: is there really any difference?
What does this all mean? I don’t pretend to know. Hopefully though, in between the jokes, you’ll find something.
- N. Gregory Finger
B I O S
N. GREGORY FINGER
Writer / Director
Writing Credits: The Talk Down (2010/1) at Newcastle Playhouse, King Street Theatre, NIDA (Winner of Short+Sweet Sydney 2011 Wildcard Grand final) Narrow as the Line (DRAMAC, 2011 & 13) An Astoundingly Exquisite Demonstration of Profound Mind-Boggling Illusions (The Terrace Bar, 2013).
Directing Credits: DRAMAC: Narrow as the Line (2011 & 13) The Iceman Cometh (2012). Holds BA (Hons) from Macquarie University and is currently completing his PhD in 20th Century Drama.
ABBIE HARTMAN
Producer
Producer Credits: DRAMAC: Resolution (2012) Comrev (2012) The Phoenix Rises from the Ashes (2012) Ruby Moon (2012) At the Break of Day (2013). Abbie is currently completing a B Education in English and History at Macquarie University.
SYDNEY ABBA
Colonel Garth McGrath
Previous Productions Include: DRAMAC: Passing Time (2011) Of Gods and Eagles (2011) Between the Acts (2012) Other: The Hiding Place (Workshop Production, Griffin Theatre, 2011) Jack Killed Jack (Sydney Fringe, 2012) Narrow as the Line (Independent, 2013). Production Credits: The Iceman Cometh (Producer, DRAMAC, 2012) Ruby Moon (Director, DRAMAC, 2012). Sydney is currently completing a B Law Arts at Macquarie University.
NICHOLAS RICHARD
Lt. Thomas Parsons
Previous Productions Include: ATYP: The Windows Project (2004) Songs for the Numb (2005). New Theatre: Mozart & Salieri (2007) Oh, What A Lovely War, Mate! (2007). The Regals: The Wizard of Oz (2007) Sweeny Todd (2008) Spamalot (2008). Other: Sticks and Stones (Brainstorm Productions, 2010). Nick is currently a working actor in film and television.
RYAN KNIGHT
Cpt. Elliot Cohen
Previous Productions Include: NIDA: The Good Soul of Szechwan (2011). SUDS: Keep/Tell (2012) The Flu Season (2012) The Glass Menagerie (2012) The Lady and the Clarinet (2012) Seascape (2012). Darlinghurst Theatre: The Girl with Red Hair (2012). SUDS: Tribes (2013). Sydney Chamber Opera: Owen Wingrave (2013). Ryan holds a B Arts majoring in Performance Studies from Sydney University.
LOGAN MCARTHUR
Lt. Richard Clarke
Previous Productions Include: DRAMAC: Hannah and Martin (2010) Peter Pan (2013). Musical Theatre: MACMS: Singin' in the Rain (2010) Spelling Bee (2011) Little Shop of Horrors (2012). Logan is currently working as a freelance actor.
BRENDAN PAUL
Cpt. Gregory Collins
Previous Productions Include (Musical Theatre): MACMS: Baby (2011). Hills Musical Society: Sweeney Tood (2011). Hornsby Musical Society: Into the Woods (2012). BMSI: Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz (2012). Brendan is a working actor and musician (drummer). He is currently performing in Sydney schools in various roles with Class Act Theatre’s ‘Bullybusters’ and ‘Cyberbusters’.
DANIEL HUNTER
Private Smithson
Previous Productions Include: Sydney Fringe: Hi, How Can I Help You? (2010). DRAMAC: Hannah and Martin (2010) Noises Off (2011) Night of the Living Dead (2011) The Iceman Cometh (2012) Directing Credits: Rumours (DRAMAC, 2012). Daniel is currently completing a B Media Arts at Macquarie University.