Please Come Home

From the moment you walked through the Swan Theatre’s doors you were transported back to Yeovil at war! Bunting and photographs adorned the foyer, front of house dressed in period military regalia and SPAM took pride of place in the raffle. This was a living experience! Step into the auditorium and the scene was set for an emotional rollercoaster with an unexpected twist!

Please Come Home is a true love story written by Director; Lynn Lee Brown and is about her mother Florrie and father Eddie. Taking us from their first to their last meeting! Their unexpected introduction was down to Tom (Graham Waddle ton) inviting two GI’s into his house where they were given a hearty ‘Yeovilian’ welcome and the first of many cups of tea!

Scenes moved seamlessly between the family living room, the pub and at times under a street light and even into an air aid shelter complete with a sing song! Eating apple pie and drinking tea set the scene and need for scrumping apples and Iona (Isabelle MacGregor- a lovely little actress to watch out for!)  and her friends being chased by Farmer Giles wagging his stick! Please Come Home was blessed with an ensemble of players in both lead and minor roles each adding their own unique talent. Perfectly cast were two dear friends Florrie and Bettie. Kerrie Froude as Florrie quiet and reserved who having once loved and lost is in no rush for another relationship that we later find out is harbouring a deep secret! Beautifully portrayed by Kerrie- not a dry eye in the house!

In complete contrast doing what comes naturally was Toni Pincombe effortlessly funny as her best friend Bettie, the girl always game for fun and frolics, going to the pub and not about to miss out on her chance to be GI bride! Enter Brad (Isaac Woodward) the laid back movie style GI, together these two lift the mood and create some beautiful innocent humour. Chemistry between Eddie (David Smith ) and Florrie was intense, their relationship was slow burning and though Eddie had fallen head over heels you could always feel Florrie holding back! Beryl (Tammie Lloyd) was the quiet rock of the family always ready with tea and sympathy and the only one who knew Florrie’s secret.

Time moves on and Florrie is now expecting Eddie’s baby, he is over the moon and wants to marry Florrie! This is where the twist comes and we find out that Florrie is already married and has no idea where her husband is! Filled with laughter and tears this play was a real labour of love. Well done.

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