Photos by Jen Olson: The ending of A Soldier’s Play provided an especially striking image of patriotism — flags draped over soldier’s beds.
By Vincent Trinh ’25
On Sunday, December 10, Derby High School took a field trip to the Shubert Theater in New Haven to see A Soldier’s Play: a classic, life-filled performance that had me at the edge of my seat till the curtain call. The production spoke volumes on its various topics in an original and nothing less than absorbing presentation.
A Soldier’s Play is a murder mystery drama that takes place in Fort Neal, Louisianna in 1944 during World War 2. First premiering in 1981 at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, this gripping thriller features the likes of Norman Lewis and Eugene Well, both of which deliver an almost impeccable performance as Captain Richard Davenport and Sergeant Vernon C. Waters, respectively. The story follows Captain Richard Davenport as he investigates Fort Neal in a desperate attempt to find and convict Sergeant Vernon C. Water’s killer.
Throughout his investigation, he meets the all-black battalion stationed at Fort Neal as long as their fellow white soldiers, all of which each play an essential role in the unraveling mystery. This play tackles themes such as racism and military life in a light that we have not seen in other military stories, making it unique and one of the first of its kind. Although a seemingly barebones plot, the story is undoubtedly gripping and suspenseful all throughout its short run time of 2 hours. I am proud to say that I was completely absorbed in the emotional tale. Although there were occasional brief moments where one of the actors stuttered or paused on a line, this did not break the immersion of the play or the story whatsoever.
This play has been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. However, my favorite part was the heart-wrenching and satisfying climax, which didn’t feel dissociated from the previous plot points as it was all smoothly tied together with the tidy red bow that was the ending. This is only one of the many examples of compelling writing shown in A Soldier’s Play.
Overall, I would recommend this play to anyone who feels that militarism in fiction has become somewhat oversaturated or overused. This play is a fresh take on not just militaristic themes but the deeper implications of racism in the military. This is an unforgettable experience that tells a story that needs to be told
The Raider Press 