A very timely - and unexpected - refugee allegory

From the premise (And having not read the original graphic novel) I had the impression that I was in for a fairly straightforward campy gothic horror story about Churchill entering into a faustian pact with Demons to help the Allies win WW2. But of course, this is Arvind Ethan David writing, so I should've known there was going to be a twist on this; I found it very thought provoking and refreshing, and would recommend it especially to those who are knowledgeable about the actual history of WW2 since it ties in a few real historical figures and events in a creative way.

Churchill is a venerated and overly-mythologised figure in modern pop culture, and initially it seems like Christian McKay (Famous for playing Orson Welles and Lord Hesketh) is fully playing up to that: He is a no-nonsense realist reeling from the retreat of Dunkirk and who is skeptical about the offer of supernatural help from the mysterious Lady Vivian, but desperate enough to hear her out. However, when he's given indisputable proof of the Shi-Tan demon's powers, Churchill strikes a bargain, and we see a ruthless and colder side to the wartime PM. There is a particularly powerful moment in which Vivian asks Churchill about his 1937 speech on Palestine, (which, much like our history curriculum, Churchill has completely forgotten about) and repeats his words back to him. It's very clear to see the devastating consequences this rhetoric has had, even 80+ years later. For as fantastical as the situation here is, the warts and all portrayal of Churchill makes his decisions in the story seem much more plausible and believable as a cunning and opportunist politician, as opposed to what you would get in a typical glossy WW2 biopic. Conservative party members will naturally be appalled at this portrayal of Churchill, but everyone else will likely appreciate the more nuanced take here.

The stand out performance though is Miranda Richardson as Baroness Lady Vivian, who is actually possessed by Vivicos, the leader of the Shi-tan people, who lack corporeal forms of their own and are urgently looking for a new home with their current one being destroyed by entropy. Richardson gets across Vivicos' confidence and ethereal power effortlessly, but also completely sells her more vulnerable moments, and in particular her seething outrage and anger. It ends on something of a cliffhanger, so time will tell whether this is a one-off or if the team want to adapt more stories from the graphic novel. Fans of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency will also recognise Sam Barnett in a few minor supporting roles, including as Sir Michael Culme-Seymour.

My only complaints are fairly minor. Lady Vivian has a talking horned skull which she explains she keeps council with, but after it's one line introduction it promptly fades into the background and is never heard from again. (I can only assume it plays a bigger role in the comics) There's also a pretty intense techno track that plays as Churchill is driven to first meet with Lady Vivian which stands out like a sore thumb and feels out of place with the otherwise gothic 1940's atmosphere that the rest of the score and sound effects do an strong job of maintaining.

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Good fun and short

A well acted little production. Like the sort of fun that Radio 4 used to produce in the good old days. Well worth a listen. Nothing too serious.

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Dramatic ish

Kept me interested, but no real ending. Guess I’ll write my own fan fic ending. This story is a fun little idea of demon trickery flipped.

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fascinating and funny

fascinating political messages and an interesting take on WW2 in this adapted theatrical story.
everything after act 2 had me in tears, only Britain could have tried to negotiate an immigration quota for the Devil's demons...i could not stop laughing.
great performance. interesting series of short stories.

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1 person found this helpful

Atmospheric

Taught, atmospheric and thought provoking. I’ve always enjoyed the ‘what ifs’ of history and Science-Fiction and this has some very good ‘what ifs’..

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1 person found this helpful

Mike Carey’s ideas

It was fine but once again no one copy proofed the writing by the (I assume) American adapter. We do not address individuals in the Army as soldier but by their rank and never, never, never would one say The HMS Anything!

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2 people found this helpful

Great short story.

Nice take on WW2 and how it was won. Very well read and performed. I wish it could have been fleshed out a bit more.

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