Written and performed by Michael Hughes, The Last Bantam tells the interesting true story of the “Bantam Battalions”: British WWI battalions composed entirely of men between the height of 5’ and 5’3”.
If – like I hadn’t – you haven’t heard of the Bantam Battalions, then the story of how such battalions came to be is intriguing. From the various reasons short men would go out of their way to enlist, to the logistical considerations such as outfitting the soldiers in their uniforms, to having to raise the trenches’ firing steps, this play is full of fascinating historical titbits. History buffs will probably enjoy references to battles and events throughout the war and learning how the Bantams played a role in them. The fantastic costume and props add another degree of historical authenticity.
The story is told through the eyes of Corporal Patrick Michael Wolfe – a science teacher from Dublin – as he recounts the events of 1915-1918 to reporters at the front line. The Corporal reveals little about himself beyond the fact that he financially supports his sister and her children, and that he enlisted based on the British government’s promise that if enough Irish men enlisted then Home Rule would be brought into effect. The story ties in some references to the upheaval in Ireland at the time, such as the 1916 Easter Rebellion. These moments are the most engaging, as they flesh out Corporal Wolfe as a character, and explore themes that are often overlooked in works about WWI that focus heavily on the English perspective.
The intriguing script is unfortunately undermined by awkward staging. For the most part Hughes shuffles around on one spot, not-quite-centre stage. To his left, a table competes for attention, despite serving no function in the play other than holding a canteen of water. Since most of the performance is so static, the handful of more physical moments feel somewhat jarring and incongruous. Similarly, the very few moments where the lighting changes or where sound effects are utilised stand out as distracting rather than impactful.
The Last Bantam is worth seeing if you’re interested in WWI history. Although the staging leaves much to be desired, the story and script speak for themselves.
Reviewer: Charles Edward Pipe
Reviewed: 9th December 2025
North West End UK Rating: