tech
‘When the knife came up through the pool table, audiences gasped’: how Iraq war epic Black Watch conquered the world
It was the play that rocked a nation. The makers of the devastating drama, which transported theatre-goers from a Fife pub to a war zone, recall how it grew and grew
TL;DR
- Black Watch, a play about Scottish soldiers in Iraq, was a major success for the National Theatre of Scotland, launching in 2006.
- The play was inspired by real events and conversations with soldiers, aiming to capture their voices and experiences.
- Innovative staging, including a pool table that transformed into a tank, allowed for seamless transitions between settings.
- The production resonated deeply with audiences, particularly the families of soldiers, leading to profound emotional responses.
- Black Watch toured internationally for seven years, achieving significant critical acclaim and impacting the careers of its cast and creators.