The Grange Playhouse
The Accrington Pals
By Peter Whelan
I was not sure what to expect from my first press night, amateur theatre can often go either way, however The Grange Players have a wonderful reputation and I can honestly say that I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer talent of entire, young cast, as well as production team.
The Accrington Pals, written by Peter Whelan is considered to be one of the greatest plays ever written on the subject of The First World War. It explores the meaning of a Pals Battalion, young soldiers that were recruited together as friends and neighbours from the town of Accrington. Inevitably they were sent to fight and die on July 1st 1916 in the tragic Battle of Somme.
The character of Company Sergeant Major Rivers (Dan Payne) becomes a teacher and father figure to the young men and sums up the Pals well, “No one can divide us from each other. What dismays an enemy most is the knowledge that every man he faces on the other side is loyal and attentive to his fellow man at all times, not because he is ordered to be so but out of the love he bares for his brothers in arms.”
In addition to this, the play takes an in depth look at the women left behind, some reluctant for their men to go to war and others praying that the men they love come home. These women had to become independent and their determination to uncover the truth about the state of war through the propaganda that was filled with lies, was truly inspiring.
On arrival, The Grange Playhouse auditorium pulls the audience into an intimate atmosphere. The stage floor reflected the cobbled street and the simple set was assisted by the use of lighting to focus attention on one area of the space, together, the audience were absorbed into the community of Accrington, witnessing the market stall hustle and bustle, the men that lined the trenches, and the women drinking wine and chatting in the kitchen.
Phebe Jackson gave a phenomenal performance as May, the cynical about love, hard working Northern lass. Every line was delivered with purpose and excellent comic timing.
The second act opens, to much amusement, with an image of Ralph, played by Joseph Hicklin, completely naked in a tin bath being soaped up by his loving girlfriend, his ‘little pocket Venus’, Eva. This scene is only furthered by May’s reaction to a naked man on her kitchen floor and the perfectly timed towel snatch by Ralph, protecting the last of his dignity.
Nathalie Colen’s portrayal of Eva was approached with the tenderness that the character called for, while her love for sweetheart Ralph fuelled her need for the truth, leading the women to the town hall. Her beautiful rendition of Edward German’s O Peaceful England, left the audience stunned and all boiled sweet wrappers were still as silence swept the auditorium.
The production runs until the July 26th, and it is well worth a watch, if you can’t catch this then I would definitely recommend another of The Grange Players’ pieces, Grahame Linehan’s Lady Killers opens in September.
Lastly, consider amateur theatre with an open mind, it might just surprise you.
Review by Elena Scandrett
No comments:
Post a Comment