Three Days in May

Winston Churchill (Clarke) is the new Prime Minister at the beginning of the play and during the eponymous three days we are witness to an extraordinary debate between him and his war cabinet behind the doors of Ten Downing Street. As the new face of the government he must convince the rest of the group – which includes voices advocating the idea of giving into Hitler – that they must continue their battle against fascism. The road ahead is difficult whatever the outcome, but the decision is one that will shape the face of the free world forever.

Playing to the lowest common denominator, Three Days In May never explodes, never simmers, never boils over and is never a threat to anyone elected to make the ultimate decision - to go to war. Like watching Titanic, the outcome is known, but it is the journey, the stakes, the loss and push and pull, in which drama should be created. In Ben Brown’s well-researched play, the situation is just not enough to be a play with the required drama and tension. There are some nice performances and some wonderful detailed insights into the war cabinet’s decision-making process over the three days. That said, if it was really that easy, I wonder what they really felt about England and the Empire. Oh to have had an argument about that – now that would have been a drama. A–Level history students will find this production insightful. Theatre-goers with a modicum of awareness will find it passable.