It’s a Wonderful Life (Radio Play)

Welcome to the 1940’s American Radio Station WBFR where we find the station is preparing to make a live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience featuring a play called "It's a Wonderful Life” starring some very well known radio actors of the time. Written by Joe Landry this radio version was first performed in 1996. Landry adapted this version from another one of his plays featuring the same story which was itself based on the 1946 Frank Capra movie of the same name which was at the time an initial a box office failure but now is said to be the most heart-warming, inspirational and best Christmas film of all time.

The story centres around the life of George Bailey, who grows up in a small town called Bedford Falls. He plans to go to college, see the world and build huge things such as skyscrapers. But, unfortunately, his ambitions do not come to fruition due to the death of his father and as the oldest child he must take over the running of the family’s savings-and-loan business.As time goes by he sees his brother go off to college while he stays in Bedford falls to run the business, however there is one happy event as he falls in love and marries Mary (Helen Haygarth). Over the years George helps many of the townsfolk with their finances and builds good affordable housing. Then one fateful Christmas Eve, George’s Uncle Billy (Neil Woods) accidentally loses $8,000 on his way to the bank, this is the catalyst which leaves George on the verge of disaster. George is desperate and he thinks about ending his life as he stands on a bridge in the snow. As he contemplates what to do he is approached by a slightly bumbling 292-year-old trainee guardian angel called Clarence (Mark Haygarth) who is desperate to get his wings. George tells him that he wishes he had never been born so Clarence shows George what life would be like for Bedford Falls and his loved ones if he had not been born. After seeing what would have happened to his friends and family George has a change of heart and understands the true spirit of Christmas and is thankful for his life and things he has. In the end all the people George has helped over the years come together to help him out and repay his kindness and Clarence finally gets his wings.

There were seven actors who managed to put together a very entertaining heart warming show bringing to life 30 different characters. The hardworking cast included  Cliff Gillies playing the actor Jack Laurents in as George Bailey who gave a very poignant touching performance, Helen Haygarth was Sally Applewhite playing Mary Hatch, George’s wife, who appeared to have hit the nail on the head with her characterisation. Other actors who had the difficult task of playing multiple roles and making each character different from the other so the audience could differentiate  included Neil Woods as Freddie Filmore, Tracey Holmes-Smith plays Lana Sherwood, Mark Haygarth plays Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood with Susan Fryer and Joanne Wasilow  playing small roles and providing all the sound effects from the sound effects table. Joanne and Tracey also sang the Sponsorship advertisements for the broadcast. The cast worked together as a team and must have known the play well which is very important for the success of this type of play where actors are playing multiple characters as it could be difficult cueing each other and the pace of the play could have been effected but in this case it was just right.

Accents although generally started quite well did tend to disappear as the play progressed and the actors changed character, however there was good clear diction, the actors could be heard and the plot could be followed easily.

There was one static set on a small raised stage area with 1940’s period style props which transformed the stage and the room into an intimate Radio Studio. Lighting and sound was in the charge of Phil Fryer and along with costumes which included men dressed in black tie and the ladies in dresses with a 1940’s feel added to the overall atmosphere of the play adding authenticity to the production.

Congratulations to Director Cliff Gillies and to all involved in this very moving yet uplifting production. Thank you for a lovely evening and making us welcome and also providing some wonderful Christmas spirit.

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