Carrie's War

Tudor Players have been performing to appreciative Sheffield audiences for many years and tonight’s production certainly didn’t disappoint. Carrie’s War is based on the real life experiences of the author Nina Bowden after becoming an evacuee during the Second World War. Carrie arriving in a small Welsh village along with her brother Nick complete with brown name labels around their necks.  Various villagers arrived at the station saying they would take one or the other but not both but finally they were selected by Louise Evans to live with her and her brother Mr Evans, a local shopkeeper.

The set was very cleverly built upstage with up to three quarters of the width being grass steps and banks complete with post and rail fencing and trees whilst the remainder being carpeted steps up to the bedroom. The production involved numerous set changes and whilst the backdrop remained constant an extensive amount of movable flats were utilised in various stage positions. The backdrop was basically white which allowed the lighting team to create so many atmospheric visuals, day and night, bright and dull. The choice of music cleverly utilised at strategic times was a absolute joy including Windmills of Your Mind, Cwm Rhondda, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Calon Lan and many more. Along with music the use of real time second world war announcements gave a chilling reflection to those dark times witnessed by so many.

So many excellent performances by the multi-talented group giving their appreciative audience an excellent evening of top-quality drama. Carrie Willow played by Hannah Fagan gave a truly beautiful performance throughout, showing so many emotional sides to her character, the caring and considerate sister, the thoughtful friend, the strong willed principled young lady who wasn’t afraid to question people when she felt they were wrong and along with her brother, and later son, Nick Willow played by Connor Hibberd showed a truly wonderful brother and sister bond. Connor Hibberd as Nick gave a quite brilliant performance for one so young to command the stage with the attributes of someone much older was a joy to see and clearly showed how much he has listened and taken on board all the direction and advice given. The bond you showed with Hannah was there for all to see. Your character required many highs and lows, moments of calm and times of real anger which you performed to the highest order. Mr Evans by Phil Gascoyne, a hard hitting principled god fearing Welshman. Brilliantly depicted with excellent accenting throughout. Again many beautifully worked scenes showing a real hardness of character. Auntie Lou by Charlie Gascoyne-Thompson a lovely character part performed well. The caring side showing through with the arrival of the evacuee children. The moments of should or shouldn’t having feelings for an American Major, culminating in a romantic dance scene and eventual elopement to marry. Albert Sandwich played by Rob Jex   happy reading his books and when involved in conversation always having a positive outcome. Andrea Howard , two contrasting roles , first as Mrs Davies and secondly as Mrs Gotobed , when Albert suggested she should wear her beautiful gowns one last time , a lovely cameo role played with poise and elegance, along with excellent timing. Edwina Gascoyne as Hepzibah Green, powerfully performed part, beautiful Norfolk accent , many great scenes along with the really moving singing in the church scene , finally being backed by the whole ensemble, a very poignant moment. Surely the stand-alone performance requiring the highest level of control to not over do or exaggerate was by Mr Johnny performed by Tommy Jones. A part requiring total comprehension of how people must be when suffering that awful affliction, but having all their faculty of understanding through varying situations, and striving to get their feelings understood. Beautifully portrayed. Taking smaller cameo roles were, Sue Cox, John Fereday,  Justin Harrison, John Moran who all performed well adding to an outstanding evening of theatre.

Compliments must go to your Director Rob Duncan who clearly conveyed his vision of the play and how he worked with sound and lighting to provide the many and differing scenes, interspersed with music ,recordings,  lighting changes and extensive set movement. Full compliments to Hanzel D,Roza for his set design along with lighting and sound assisted by Kevin Chambers and a team of builders. The set crew many of whom doubled with the smaller roles must have spent hours perfecting seamless set changes of which there were many.

If you read this review and have an evening to spare, please support Tudor Players and their production of Carrie’s War, a truly moving piece of real-life theatre and whilst it was many years ago the situation affected thousands of youngsters all over the country as they were moved out from the major cities into the country leaving parents and relatives behind.

I was delighted to have been invited by Sue Cox, your drama rep to review this excellent piece of theatre.

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