Theater Review – February 8, 2025

“CHURCHILL” DOESN’T CAPTURE THE DYNAMIC HISTORICAL FIGURE

“CHURCHILL”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hardes Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Winston Churchill was an extremely complex individual with military brilliance and the uncanny ability to read divergent people so he could implement his assorted plans that enabled him to win a complicated war for Great Britain.

The man is a challenging subject for a play and The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) brings us David Payne’s portrait that he conceived, wrote, and directed.  But there’s something missing because the creation is too often flat and it never allows the well-known exuberant figure to emerge.

The play is set in 1963 just after President John F. Kennedy granted him the rare honor of US citizenship and just prior to his 1965 passing.  Churchill is slowing down and lacks his characteristic fast-paced approach to life.  While having the play explore Churchill just before his demise allows access to everything he confronted, Payne chooses to present Churchill sitting stage center in a large chair throughout the performance so the play evolves with a slow crawl.  Where is Churchill’s characteristic vigor and enthusiasm?

A way to revitalize the play’s now drowsy story would be to have the actor tell the story through dreams and reflections so Payne could depict Churchill in his younger times. The play needs to spark and take off to make Churchill’s life more dynamic.  As it is, the show plods and seems much longer than its two-hour running time.

“Churchill’s” two parts are very different.  The first act deals with his historical accomplishments, his war wins, and his political intrigue.  There’s not much new or unusual here.  By the intermission, you yearn for a more insightful exploration of Churchill.

The second half is far more fascinating as it hones in on Churchill’s relationship with his wife, Clementine, and his unique rapport with Queen Elizabeth II.  It is pertinent to understand how these strong women influenced his decisions.

“Churchill” must sprunt back to his earlier and more dynamic times so Payne can rise from his chair and ignite Churchill’s younger enthusiasm.  It would allow the show to explode from the start and would visibly demonstrate Churchill’s fiery excitement.  As a sleepy and entirely reflective telling of Churchill’s life, the show misses what we know and love about the man.

At some performances, the actor’s son, Daniel, will portray Churchill.  How the different performers affect “Churchill” is unknown.

As a biographical play, “Churchill” is a less-than-perfect telling of a fascinating historical figure.  It needs to be rethought to give it more spark. “Churchill” continues through April 13, 2025.  To order tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre Company box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: C