Rebecca Crookshank's Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is not to be confused with Tina Fey's recent movie of the same name. Crookshank's one-woman show retells her years in the Royal Air Force, whereas Fey's movie is based on the story of Kim Baker, an American journalist working in Afghanistan in 2004-2006.
There's a lot of charm to Crookshank's performance, she is clearly having a great time impersonating various characters, from best friend 'Wingwoman', to the deliciously camp Air Commodore Joan Hopkins. The items of clothing she wears to impersonate each become imbued so quickly with their personality, that you are moved when she carries a cardigan as if were a coffin, before folding it like a flag. Starting in 1997, the charm also comes from nostalgia with a peppering of pop songs and other callbacks (such as dial-up internet) put to good use. When the theme of 'One' from Chorus Line starts up as Crookshank recalls the 'pass-out' parade, it's then twisted into the much less glamorous routine they have to undergo.
It's not all lightness however, footage projected at various points from the show gradually encroaches on Crookshank's performance. It goes from WW2 archival material, to footage of Crookshank's time in the Falkland Islands, particularly Mount Alice. These highlight the darker side of not only the army, but of being a woman, with suicide attempts and sexual assaults. The latter is handled deftly by Crookshank, who concentrates on demonstrating the four ways in which you can escape from a cable tie. Her restraint makes the shock of what happened to her all the harder.
The Royal Air Force motto Per adua ad astra ('Through adversity to the stars'), is brought back at the end to show how Crookshank eventually left the RAF for a more creative, theatrical career. If I have a complaint it is that that aspect is not brought out enough during the show, outside of her radio stint. I later found out that she was part of the RAFTA (Royal Air Force Theatrical Association) during her time there, which would have been appropriate to mention during the play.
Ultimately, this is a show about friendship and growing up, with the relationship between Crookshank and Wingwoman a constant highlight. You're also likely to enjoy Crookshank's quickfire delivery, and a gift for physical comedy that works wonders even when she's not saying a thing.