Delivery at Chiswick Playhouse – review

“We’ve lost more men since we got back than we did in the war”

Written by Andy Walker and directed by Lesley Manning, Delivery is a tragic haunting comic story about conflict, PTSD and fatherhood running currently at the Chiswick Playhouse in London.

Joe battles with the notion of becoming a father. Is he ready? Is he even responsible and worthy enough to be a father? Through a series of flashbacks we see that Joe is haunted by what he experienced in combat.

Actor Alex Walton gives an electrifying performance as the conflicted father to be, Joe, as he awaits the birth of his first child. Lizzie Aaryn-Stanton’s performance is both credible and compelling in her portrayal of Joe’s long suffering wife and soul mate Angela.

There is no doubt Joe loves his wife. It is not that simple though. The play is a story of one man’s journey to the brink. Can he overcome the mental trauma and devastation of what he experienced in the Falkland’s war to become a ‘functioning adult’ again in civilian life?

Delivery is the second play I have reviewed recently which highlights the horrific effects of PTSD. It is so important to raise awareness about the condition.

I spoke with Stuart Cardy, whom the play is based on. I did ask him had he trouble sweating after the Falklands war. He didn’t quite understand what I meant at first. So I mentioned Prince Andrew’s ‘condition’. 

Cardy is however more familiar with the very real PTSD effects of the war. Following his family tradition, he joined the parachute regiment serving with 2 Para in Northern Ireland and also the class of 82 Falklands war. After 14 years in the Military he now is an advisor in hostile environments.

Cardy supports Combat Stress, a British charity offering therapeutic and clinical community and residential treatment to former members of the British Armed Forces who are suffering from a range of mental health conditions; including post traumatic stress disorder. He also supports Walking with the wounded, a British charity to help injured former British Armed Forces servicemen and women in their career transition from the military to civilian life.

Delivery runs from 10th March – 4th April 2020 at Chiswick playhouse in London. For more information and to book tickets visit their website.