Goodnight Mister Tom

Goodnight Mister Tom and The Company of Four are both new to me personally, but what a really refreshing and pleasing evening I spent with both on Friday October 21st 2022 at the Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge. The foyer was brimming with an expectant audience and my welcome was warm by the smiling front of house team. The ushers who showed me to my seat were enthusiastically chatty and friendly and were dressed in period costume, appropriate to the play. I particularly liked the washing lines adorning the auditorium with clothes matching this iconic era in our country's history.

Goodnight Mister Tom is a story of a young evacuee, William, sent to a small village. He has lived a troubled life with a bible pushing Mum in London. He goes to live with an old set in his ways man, Tom Oakley. Both characters learn through each other, happiness and love again in their lives as they journey together.

Mister Tom (Michael Richardson) was ideally cast and worked the character to perfection, his rapport with William (Nathan Hawes) created the really strong connection of older man/child and the growth of this relationship. When he said towards the end “I love you”, it was so moving. Zach (Kit Widdup) played an in-your-face child keen to be involved in village life, also an evacuee from London, had a great relationship with William. His death scene was sincere and I felt the whole audience was deeply affected by this emotional scene. Great acting throughout, well done. Sammy the dog (Samuel Earthroll) was cleverly manipulated so that you forgot it was not a real dog, good skills used to portray this and the three children Carrie (Annabelle Ward) Ginnie (Ellen Gibbs) and George (Violet Wheatley) established individual characters and maintained this high standard throughout the whole plot. Supporting cast brought quality to the storylines and the hectic crowd scenes, such as the tube, hospital, and meetings added to this vibrant picture of the war.

The creative team of Oliver Fosker, Vicky Fosker, Lily Griffiths and Allan Rogers brought to life with their inspiration a most entertaining evening. 

The set, the furniture, the props and the costumes were all in keeping and cleverly thought out to suit this play. I felt I had been transported back to the 40's. The scene changes, which were many, were executed with music of the time and costumed to cause the least possible distraction. Just a personal opinion, your details were outstanding but ensure this is continued with footwear and care needs to be taken when moving wheeled props from the stage.

I was so pleased to be asked to see this incredible production of Goodnight Mister Tom  and my huge congratulations goes out to everyone involved. It was a pleasure.

Thank you.

Sarah Meers, District 6 Representative

On behalf of Catherine Dixey District 12 Representative

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