Its a Wonderful Life

It’s a Wonderful Life

Ashton Hayes Theatre Club

4/12/24

 

‘It’s a wonderful Life’ is an iconic Christmas Movie, allegedly watched by millions each Christmas holiday. Based on the critically acclaimed Frank Capra movie, Mary Elliott Nelson's reimagining is a joyful story of love, hope and community. Remember 'Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.'

It’s Christmas Eve 1945 in the small upstate New York town of Bedford Falls, but instead of everyone celebrating and singing carols, they’re worried about a much-loved member of their community; George Bailey.

When the clamour of prayers to ‘look after George’ reaches heaven, we meet three angels Tina Wyatt, Vanessa Duffy and enthusiastic but scatty ‘angel second class Clarissa (Andrea Jones), Who to get her ‘wings’ is sent down to earth to save the life of the disillusioned banker who is in a dark, dark place.

George Bailey spends his entire life giving up his big dreams for the good of Bedford Falls as we see in flashback. We first meet George at age 12, when he saves his younger brother Harry from drowning, he himself looses the hearing in his left ear, which subsequently means he cannot join the forces.

Young George (Dave Rogerson) has dreams of travelling around the world; then going to college; then working at something he loves. George saves money for college but then his father has a heart attack and George gives up his dream to take over the running of the family business. The Bailey Brothers Building and Loan Company. George gives his college money to his brother Harry (Jac Wardle) so he can go in his place. For George of course, life being what it is it doesn’t work out that way.

So, George remains in Bedford Falls after all; sticks with the modest family business, always lending a hand to the hardworking townspeople, Mr Gower (John Booth), Violet, Ruth & Mrs Thompson (Yvette Owen)  Bert, Mr Martini (Jac Wardle) and school friend Sam Wainwright (Nita Lawton). George gets married to his sweetheart Mary Hatch (Emily Duffy); has a family; watches his brother Harry become a war hero, receiving the Congressional Medal of Honour from President Roosvelt for bravery.

Then, disaster: Uncle Billy (Mike Howard) is excited by Harry’s news. While he is depositing $8000 at the bank he is distracted by Potter’s goading and mislays the money. He panics when he can’t find it, not realising that Mr Potter (Stuart McNeil) has the money but is remaining silent. George is about to meet the bank examiner, has learned what has happened and questions Uncle Billy: if the money isn’t found, they will be ruined. 

George is in despair, knowing it will mean scandal, bankruptcy, and prison. Seeing no other way out, he decides to take his own life, then the angel Clarissa appears. George wishes he’d never been born, Clarissa sees an opportunity to win her wings: makes it so, and gives George a glimpse of life in Bedford Falls if he had never been born.

Potter now runs the depraved town, slum housing, and seedy bars, George’s friends don’t recognize him, Martini no longer has the bar, Uncle Billy is in a home and Mary is lonely and unmarried. And his brother Harry is dead: he drowned as a kid, since George wasn’t there to save him. The men Harry should have saved in the war died too, as Clarissa says “One man’s life can touch so many others,”. George begs for his life back: and just like that, the real-world returns.  Clarissa reminds George that he has had, after all, a wonderful life.

George explodes with joy, though he knows he’s bound for prison. He rushes home to his family, and all the residents of Bedford Falls pool their resources to help George, Sam Wainwright now a successful businessman wires $20,000. Harry returns home to Bedford Falls a married man.  A bell rings!  Clarence has earned his wings.

Ashton Hayes production of this well-loved story was absolutely splendid, with some stand out performances, I particulary would like to mention Emily Duffy and Mike Howard, who were a delight. Director Simon Jones freely admitted in the programme that it was a privilege to have been asked to direct this play, as it has been a Christmas favourite for thirty years. His imaginative minimalist staging gave the very talented cast a great canvass to express the sentiment of this, moving and memorable story.

Thank you for my invitation, this was a truly imaginative production from an exceptionally talented and confident society, a theatre experience I will remember for a long time.

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

 

 

 

 

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