There are a number of key moments of tension in Act one culminating in the capture of the Japanese soldier. Explain how Hall builds tension, referring to specific examples in the text.
Willis hall was born in Leeds on April 6th 1929 and grew up with an intimate knowledge of the North Country and working class life. Hall did military service in Malaysia which is presumably where he gained inspiration for ‘The long, the short and the tall.’ The play itself gained a prestigious award shortly after it was written in 1958. Although at a glance one might think that it is an ‘anti war’ play, when you explore the themes and feelings behind the play it becomes obvious that Hall had no strong opinions on war; but did aim to raise issues such as: ‘when does killing become murder?’.
The audience is able to detect tension immediately as they are aware it is set in the Malayan Jungle, a hot alien environment during the war. There is only one setting throughout the whole play which adds to the intensity of the atmosphere. I think Hall intentionally used characters from contrasting backgrounds, with clashing personalities almost as puppets to provide and manipulate the conflict and tension. The group of six men include a Scotsman, a Cockney, a Tynesider and a Welshman the play shows how each of these men interrelate with each other. I believe Hall was using the characters as an indication of the “types” of people he himself had met or came across during his time in the national service. It is also possible he was trying to make the play appealing to the broad range of listeners in his audience in hope that they may be able to find a character they can relate to and by doing this building ‘personal’ tension amongst every individual towards at least one character. Contrast is also indicated in the title ‘The Long and the Short and the Tall’ as Hall used 3 contrasting adjectives. The influence for the title is from a song called ‘Bless ‘em all’, sung by soldiers expressing their bitterness towards the war and being in the front line whilst others are not.
