Goodnight Mister Tom

Goodnight, Mister Tom a play performed by Chorley Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society at Chorley Theatre, Dole Street, Chorley on Thursday, 7th September, 2023

Goodnight, Mister Tom is based on the 1981 children’s novel, of the same name penned by Michelle Magorian, which was adapted for stage by David Wood.  The play follows the transformative journey of a ten-year-old evacuee, William Beech, who, during the air raids of World War Two, is evacuated from the East End of London to a small village called Little Weirwold, in the West Country. There, he is put into the care of Tom Oakley, an elderly man, who for forty years has lived the life of a recluse. William comes from an abusive, sheltered background but, with Tom’s help and understanding, he learns how to love, how to make friends, and how to be part of a family. Equally, Tom finds the company and a role in life that he was desperately missing. However, when William is called back to London by his disturbed mother, William’s future is uncertain! Tom is unable to give up on his young charge and he follows William to London. There, he rescues him from a desperate situation and begins to rebuild the young boy’s life once more. 

Production Team … wow, this truly was a powerful and poignant piece of theatre created by and under the watchful eye of Rebecca Dickinson (Director).  From the outset, it was obvious that Rebecca had a great understanding of this piece… every aspect of the production was well thought out and every detail covered.  This was another play involving many scene changes and blackouts which can and do slow productions down and sometimes detract from the storyline… but not in this case!  If the truth be known, I think the anticipation of what was to come after some of those ‘blank periods’ created even more drama through anticipation… Kath Townsend (Producer) should also be noted and congratulated for this piece…. congrats ladies… a great piece of theatre, and if the applause and comments from the audience at the end were anything to go by… a production enjoyed by everyone present! Talking about audiences… Monday through to Saturday… ‘THE FULL RUN’ … every performance was ’SOLD OUT’ – congrats Chorley Theatre congrats CADOS … not at all the ‘norm’ currently!

Cast… I really don’t think I can move forward with this review without a ‘special call out’ for the entire cast which numbered twenty-eight, who’s ages ranged from ‘primary school’ through to ‘retirement’ age and every age in between!  It really was humbling, yet encouraging, to see the ‘myriad’ of age ranges coming together on stage, working as a team, whilst having the time of their lives through the ‘power of theatre’… the smiles on the face of every cast member during the finale and bows… just said it all… well done one and all!   So having said that… I’m reluctant to start ‘sticking my neck out’ and suggesting, as I usually do, ‘show stealers’ and ‘favourites’… simply because, ‘IN MY OPINION’, the success of this production was truly down to ‘team effort’!  BUT I do feel it would be remiss of me not to give a few ‘shout outs’ … so let’s start with our two leads… opposite ends of the ‘age spectrum’ - Stephen McGarry, (let’s say over 21) who took on the lead role of the grumpy widowed recluse ‘Tom Oakley’ and nine-year-old Joshua Marston who just made the role of ‘William Beech’, the abused evacuee from London his own!  Stephen really did take us on an emotional journey, capturing the character of the ‘Mister Tom’ wonderfully well. It was endearing to see him play alongside his much younger co-star and see their friendship/bond visually grow in front of you!  Joshua, looked so comfortable in this demanding role portraying the naive, abused evacuee from London. He provided us with a well-judged, heart-warming performance that belied his years and the ‘chemistry’ between them both was tangible… be ever so proud you two… great job!  Sticking with the youngsters… we then had eleven-year-old Tommy Martland and his portrayal of ‘Zach’ the extrovert evacuee of Jewish descent. Another who belied his years producing an amazing confident performance… loved his line to Mr Miller… ‘To be or not to be, that is the indigestion’. Be ever so proud Tommy great job!  Lynn Harley (‘Doctor Little’ - Village Doctor) and David Hartley (‘Mr Miller’ - Village Post Office / Store Keeper) were perfect fits for these two supporting cameo roles… well done you two.  Three more youngsters…. Holly Ashton, Freya De Nobrega and Thomas Bramall took on the roles of ‘Carrie’, ‘Ginnie’ and ‘George Fletcher’ respectively… great portrayals of these three village children who meet, ridicule then befriend William… well done you three, be ever so proud!  My final ‘shout out’ has to go to a non-speaking role… Ellie Brookfield took on the role of a ‘puppeteer’ for ‘Sammy’ Tom Oakley’s collie!  Ellie really is a talented, versatile young actor, who only a couple of months was my ‘showstealer’ for her portrayal of ‘Mr Beaver’ in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Self-taught in the art of ‘puppeteering’ Ellie made this look far easier than it actually was and at times, you actually forgot Ellie
was there!  Sammy has a vital part in this play… be proud Ellie, tremendous job, all that effort paid off!  Completing the cast line up we had Jo-Anne Donnelly playing ‘Mrs Beech’…William’s violent mother; Nat Carr who played ‘Mrs Fletcher’; Elspeth Fisher who played ‘Mrs Thorne’: Val Fotheringham who played ‘Mrs Miller’;  Nicola Preston had a duel role ‘Mrs Hartridge’ and a ‘Nurse’;  Adam Smith also had a duo of roles ‘David Hartridge’ and ‘Mr Stelton’; John Holland made a great ‘Vicar’;  Peter Gallagher played ‘Charlie Ruddles’; Owen Doherty played an ‘ARP Warden’; Linda Coppin was another who took on two roles ‘Glad’ and a ‘Social Worker’;  as did Luke Brown, who played a  ‘Ticket Collector’ and a ‘Policemen’; Kath Townsend played a ‘Hospital Ward Sister’;  Amy Hardcastle played a ‘Billeting Officer’ and last, but certainly not least, we had our band of youngsters - ‘evacuees’ Lucy Carr, Martha Coleman, Max De Nobrega, Grace Dolan, Finlay Quinn and Joshua Quinn … be ever so proud everyone!

Staging/Set/Tech…as is the ‘norm’ here at Chorley Theatre… the staging/set/tech was first class… affording the actor every opportunity to do their thing! As mentioned previously this production was littered with scene changes which were carried out speedily, quietly and with great assurance… so its congrats to Samantha Quinn (Stage Manager) and her crew Harry Smith and Ellie Brown. Paul Carr (Set Design) and his Set Building Team of Stephen Irish, Rebecca Dickinson, Kath Townsend, Maureen Strand and Joanna Hemmings should also be congratulated on a brilliant, usable set.
Sound and Lighting … again, as always here at Chorley... was ‘spot on’… congrats, as always to the ‘technical wizardry’ of Paul Carr and Ben Holden… great jobs guys!

Costumes were apt and looked fabulous… under the watchful eye of Sandra Dickinson
Props… provided by Cast, Crew and parents… used really well and enhanced the production

Chaperones… lets never forget the people charged with keeping our young people safe whilst performing … no names, but you’ll know who you are… well done, be proud, this type of production could not happen without you and your commitment!

Thank you so much for the invitation, loved the production, went away with so many thoughts… see you all again soon!

Stay safe and keep well
Stronger Together…

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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