General From America

The play portrays Arnold as a man who truly believed his country was suffering during the war and the best way to end it was to hand over his soldiers and George Washington to the British and defect. He was not doing it for the money, but for the country, so he says. However, his actions meant he became one of the most hated men in America.

How closely this play resembles the truth I don’t know. But some of the dialogue could be a little offensive to Americans as there were quite a few insulting words directed at them. I’m sure the authors intention was for us to have sympathy for Arnold, if it was then it worked for me because I felt sorry for the man.

James Laurenson who played Benedict Arnold put in a fine performance playing the despairing and confused General, so too did Corin Redgrave who played George Washington.

The play didn’t quite reach any high or low points, it just chugged a long at an average pace which made you feel you wanted something a little more dramatic to happen. However, it is still a competent play that is worth watching.

(Darren Dalglish)