My Boy Jack

Rudyard Kipling and David Haig [writer] would have approved of and enjoyed Elizabeth Callows production of My Boy Jack, which tells the tale of Kiplings only son being sent off to fight in the trenches in France in World War One.

The attention to detail was apparent in all areas not just the staging and acting performances. The set and costumes too were some of the most exquisite I have seen in some time. The Batemans drawing room was outstanding and having seen the real thing, impressed me greatly down to the very smallest dressing. Martin Beatly, its designer had help from master painter Patrick Tricker and friends to make it look incredibly realistic. Muriel Lister and her stage management team ensured that scene changes were slick and effortless transforming and transporting us to the trenches of the Western Front in moments.

It must have been the inspiration for the cast of eleven as each and every performance was noteworthy in its unique and deft delivery. Every character had depth and breadth belying the tender years of some of the principal troupe. Jacob Carter as John Kipling was particularly striking and managed to get across the attitudes and behaviour of the time incredibly for someone of 16 living 100 years after the time. Megan Saunders [Elsie] too was an incredibly affectionate sister and the scenes played out between the two of them were as moving as they were captivating. The Irish Guardsmen George Cooper and Keir Gilbert-Halladey helped us to gain some small insight into the frightening prospect of trench warfare.

Adult plaudits must go to Chris Bassett [Rudyard] and Alex Barnett who was an incredibly believable shell shocked Irish Guardsman Michael Bowe. However for me it was Ghislaine Bowden as Carrie Kipling, with her broad and totally accurate turn of the century US accent, that stood out for me as her emotional responses were just incredible.

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