Lilies on The Land

Lilies on The Land was originally a devised piece of work from a theatre group called The Lion's Part. Actors got together and created this piece with real life letters and correspondence from women who had served in the Women’s Land Army in WWII. The piece acts as a celebration and information of what they went through at that time.

Walking into the Forge we are met with an intimate set: four bales of hay, four old fashioned leather suitcases and four wooden crates, with hay on the floor around the room. The outside of a byre, the set was decorated with large milk churn, bicycle, metal buckets, shelves with tools. Hooks on the wall had flat caps on them. Various tools like pitchforks, hoes and shovels were leaned up against the wall. A large wooden wheel was also used to good effect. Down two sides of the stage was a trough in which various props were kept like clipboard and a cat and life-size farm dog.  A large poster for Land Army Girls was on the wall depicting a Land Army Girl with pitch fork. Set Design was by Helen Livesey and Eleanor Maxwell. Properties were by Emily Hill, Chloe Spencer, Simon Mott and Helen Livesey. Lighting and Sound all added to the piece. The Lighting was atmospheric and appropriate and with sound effects of aircraft, tractors, air raid siren and church bells, along with various speeches from Sir Winston Churchill. Lighting was by John Lyon and Nigel Cropper. Sound by Caspar Mogford Midwinter and Gareth Preston. The pre-show announcement was even in keeping with the period.

The cast were dressed as land girls throughout with plus fours, jumpers and jumpsuit. Even all sporting the Land Army Pin and old-fashioned hair clips over the headwear. They then added various other attire when playing different characters. Wardrobe Bell Costumes and Beth Casssidy.

Eleanor Maxwell directs and clear to see she has a handle on it. The piece came across as an affectionate, nostalgic, hilarious and heartfelt dramatic piece of theatre. Showing us various situations and feelings, the Land Arny Girls encountered. Eleanor used the staging well and made good use of the space. The characters were well defined and interacted cohesively with one another. The acapella singing was lovely with beautiful harmonies. This was very much an ensemble piece with all cast members contributing equally.

The cast took on a named land girl and other characters such as farmers and airmen. Jenny Button playing Poppy even took on the part of a cow, complete with udders – hilarious! Gabrielle Eden took on the part of Peggy, Madeleine Haworth took Margie and Beth Cassidy, Vera. Each character had their moment - we were taken on their journeys and what they faced - even the 25mile bike rides. The comradery was evident and their stories were funny, poignant and reflective. What was evident was the hard work and having so little as land girls but they were happy and enjoyed life to the full.  The cast worked well together in delivering the story and easily transitioned into various other characters physically and often with accents which were apt.  The monologues and narration intertwined with the dialogue to give us a potted history and story of their lives. The story was in the very capable hands of Madeleine, Gabrielle, Jenny and Beth. Thank you for the invite from my guest Matthew and I.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District Rep 5

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