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Fringe review: The harrowing Lonely Soldier Monologues, Cockpit Theatre

LSM 5, Pete le May

The Lonely Soldier Monologues, Cockpit Theatre

Imagine being sexually harassed on a daily basis. Imagine being threatened with the sack if you complain. Imagine not going to the toilet after dark for fear of being raped. Sounds like life in some sort of repressive, misogynistic regime doesn't it? This is, in fact, life in the US army for seven service women.

Helen Benedict's play, The Lonely Soldier Monologues, is adapted from her book which is a series of verbatim interviews with women who served in the US military on tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. There is much revealed in the play to get angry about. There is certainly plenty to be shocked by.

Actors tell the stories of the seven women using their own words, lifted from Benedict's interviews. Starting with why they signed up, to life away on tour and then what it was like when they returned. Most come from troubled, abusive or dysfunctional backgrounds and signing up is a chance of escape or at least to put their lives back on track.


What we learn initially is that recruitment promises were never quite what they seemed and once on tour things only get worse. By far in the minority – one is the only woman in a platoon of around 70 men – their treatment by their male colleagues and superiors is jaw-dropping in its sexism and abuse of power. This isn't playful banter you see commonly depicted in film and on TV.

And it isn't just verbal abuse; the woman are supposed to have a female 'buddy' so they can travel in pairs for their own protection.

Then there is life outside barracks. The women serve alongside the men on the frontline but through their stories they reveal a poorly prepared, poorly resourced and badly commanded army which leads them to question their role and the purpose of the US invasion. The horrors of war they experience feel almost like an aside.

The effects of their tours are long lasting as we learn when they finally return to civilian life.

Lonely Soldier Monologues is a harrowing couple of hours at the theatre. It is troubling and by the interval I wasn't sure which bit of the story was making me most angry and for that it is essential viewing.

You can catch it at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone until 31 May.

 

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3 responses to “Fringe review: The harrowing Lonely Soldier Monologues, Cockpit Theatre”

  1. shannon avatar
    shannon

    My sister is a veteran of the British army; and seeing this play made me think of the harrowing stories she told me about her experiences with colleagues on her own side.
    This play may be American, but the connection between violence and sexism is very much present in the British military too. Even female soldiers who feel positive about their service will acknowledge these realities.
    Each actress channeled a real person’s words simply and eloquently, that I felt I was watching real soldiers, real women.
    I was moved to tears several times. I will definitely be sending my sister to see this deeply moving play.

    Reply
  2. Gavin avatar
    Gavin

    I was blown away by this play. The words are 100% real. And the actresses effortlessly convey these real women’s stories with empathy, passion, and depth.
    With all the years Britain and the US had been at war recently, it’s inexcusable that until now, I’d rarely heard about the experiences of female veterans. I was shocked by the stories told in this simple but striking show. Each character conveyed strength, often enduring relentless harassment and assault from their own side. Particularly ironic was the Wild West ethos with which the Native American character’s superiors briefed them upon arrival in Iraq : “It’s Indian country, go get ’em!”
    The simple movement choreography complimented the starkness of the environment and the stories. A tremendous, must-watch show.

    Reply
  3. Brad avatar
    Brad

    I walked in the rain to get to the Cockpit… But I was SO GLAD I did. I was shocked, amused, shocked again, moved, and inspired by this tightly-choreographed, simple production.
    Each actress brought nuances to the verbatim stories by real female veterans. Their characters reflected America’s multicultural society, and the often troubling lives these women sought to escape by joining the military.
    It’s not easy to convey humour, anger, or especially pain, fragility, or pathos while maintaining a tough military attitude — but these actresses did so beautifully. And with excellent (often regional – no easy feat) American accents! I understand even the American actresses in the cast took on new accents for this show. Well done!
    The Lonely Soldier Monologues may be in a small theatre, 10 min away from the tube; on a shoestring budget – but it’s the most powerful play I’ve seen so far this year.

    Reply

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