Review: TOM, DICK & HARRY, New Vic Theatre Staffordshire

Photo credit: Andrew Billington

Set in 1943 in a prisoner of war camp in Nazi occupied Europe, Tom, Dick & Harry is the true story of the great escape - you’ll have heard of the film!

It’s a prison that is impossible to escape from, or is it? For these are not your average prisoners of war, these are serial escapees. Hiding their covert plans from the German guards, it’s a game of cat and mouse as they tunnel deep into the ground beneath them.

Written by Andrew Pollard, Michael Hugo and Theresa Heskins, this brand new play honours the people involved and debunks the myths using top secret information from the war archives that was classified until 1972.

Hugo also appears as Huber/Bob, with both characters, although poles apart, equally convincing and brought to life with, at times, surprising comical portrayals. 

David Fairs as Giesler is the villain of the piece, with laughs at his expense, as he is determined to uncover the gang’s plan and thwart their escape, and Andrius Gaucas as Janacek who provides disguises for the men whilst receiving constant jibes that he is a vampire from Transylvania, not the much likeable tailor from Czechoslovakia.

Although a serious subject, it is told with what appears to pass for camaraderie humour and this teamed with the actors interacting with members of the audience makes us feel involved in the story, we want to escape too!

With incredible set design by Laura Willstead, lighting design by Daniella Beattie and sound design by Alex Day, this production has the complete package. Incorporating the whole auditorium, with all its levels, into the escape, including tunnels, ladders and a bike ride (it has to be seen to be believed) and video projections, the audience is completely transported.

Dramatic, funny and extraordinarily told.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Tom, Dick & Harry is at the New Victoria Theatre, Staffordshire until 9 July, with tickets available here, before transferring to the Alexandra Palace, London from 26 July to 28 August.