Terry Wills on the latest production of a popular favourite.
Goodnight Mr Tom
For anyone who was alive during the Second World War Goodnight Mr Tom has to be a production to rekindle memories of a period that can never be forgotten.
It tells the story of eight year old William Beech, an evacuee who is sent to live in a tranquil Dorset village to escape the ravages of what soon turns out to be a war-torn London.
Evacuees were children designated to live in various parts of the country with complete strangers who were happy to help them as best they could. Many were fortunate and found themselves living with kind caring temporary parents until hostilities ceased while some found themselves used as cheap labour. William was fortunate, being billeted with kind elderly recluse Tom Oakley. Slowly he becomes familiar with a way of life that’s as far removed from living in London as can be imagined. Together they recognise their differences and begin to appreciate what’s needed to ensure they’ll be happy to stay together for as long as is needed.
William makes friends with fellow children and auditions for a role in an upcoming musical production – all’s going well until he’s sent back to his mother, when the massive difference in relationships with his new found friends and natural parent is revealed. Circumstances dictate that eventually William will need new parents and after forming such a unique bonding with Tom, both of them stress that they do not want to be parted.
The leading roles of William and Tom are played by Arthur Gledhill-Franks and Oliver Ford Davies and they well deserved the applause at the end of an enjoyable two hour production. Special mention has to be made of Elisa De Gray. She manipulates a dog puppet to a degree that left the audience, at first glance, thinking it was a real, breathing dog
The set effortlessly moves from Dorset to London – a difficult procedure – while wartime songs such as ‘We’ll Meet Again and posters asking people to ‘Eat Less Bread’ instantly bring back wartime memories.
An excellent production and well worth ignoring the cold weather to enjoy a night out at the theatre.
Goodnight Mr Tom at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, finishes tomorrow night (13th April).
