Chariots of Fire

Chariots of Fire is an enthralling tale of rivalry between a Scotsman, Eric Liddell (Michael Wallace) and an Englishman, Harold Abrahams (Adam Bregman). Both represented Great Britain in the 1924 Olympic Games and both were aiming to be crowned the fastest man alive following the Games.

The two athletes lives could not be more different. Abraham’s parents were Jewish immigrants whilst Liddell’s parents were missionaries. Harold Abraham studied at Cambridge and was determined to succeed both with his studies and to be able to run faster than anyone else. Eric Liddle, by contrast, although a gifted runner, was a pious man who preferred a devotion to God rather than the running track.

Both men had a deep respect for the others abilities for whilst their competitiveness brought them together, their mutual respect and consideration for each other made them friends.

This stage adaptation by Mike Bartlett is true to the film and directed by Robert Hastie, the production team have much to be proud of – Ben Stones, the set and costume designer has made good use of the round Crucible stage, the outer segment revolving to form a running track. Similarly, the area usually reserved for the audience was incorporated into an athletics track for one of the races. The lighting by Richard Howell was also very effective especially so the use of spotlight and strobe lighting to depict movement during the all-important Olympic races.

The cast are excellent and all possess superb physical fitness levels. To establish the racing atmosphere of the performance, as the audience were entering the auditorium, the cast were dressed in 1920’s running gear and were stretching, squatting and bending as though preparing for a race. Additionally, others performed a series of press ups enacting serious athletic training routines.

Adam Bregman as Abrahams initially projects a self-confidence which slowly appears to fade as he encounters anti-Semitism from his university tutors and racing officials but his anger only makes him more determined to run faster than anyone else.

Michael Wallace portrays Liddell as a devoutly religious man equally determined to stick to his principles not to race on a Sunday as it should be a day of religious prayer and reflection, even in the face of royalty and officialdom.

Waleed Elgadi plays Sam Mussabini, the coach, who successfully trains Abrahams to increase his speed although the Masters at the university regard this as being unsportsmanlike. No matter that the American athletes had professional coaches.

All good stories must have a love interest and this was ably provided by Bessy Ewa as Sybil Evers the star of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and Chanel Waddock as Florence Mackenzie.

As you may expect the iconic Chariots of Fire music was played along with rousing rendition of ‘Jerusalem’ and some excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

This show is an inspirational and moving true story of honour, determination and conviction and is well worth an evening of anyone’s time. I thoroughly recommend.

Bessy Ewa (Sybil) with Members of the Company Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Sheffield Crucible Theatre Until 27th July