Private Peaceful

The Norbury Theatre’s latest production was a thoughtful and moving adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel Private Peaceful.  Featuring a youthful cast in the principal roles, I was struck by the fact that these young performers were very close in age to that of the young men who went to fight and die in the trenches.  This made for a very thought-provoking evening of theatre, well-conceived by director Julie Fisher, and skilfully delivered by a committed team of performers and backstage crew.

Private Peaceful tells the story of brothers Tommo and Charlie Peaceful, both of whom go to fight in World War I, but only one of whom will return.  The first part of the play, showing the boys’ younger years, was narrated by Tommo from his bunker in the trenches, as the night ticks away towards what we might assume is a major event in his life, possibly his death.  But as the play progresses we discover that it is his brother who is facing execution, having been court-martialled for refusing to advance, choosing instead to stay with a wounded Tommo.  It’s a heart-wrenching story. 

The first half of the show tells the story of Tommo Peaceful’s young life, a bucolic but hard existence for the son of a poor family in a time of rigid social hierarchies.  As young Tommo, Ollie Ledington showed us the excitement of youth and formed a good partnership with Finley Checketts, who played the young version of his brother, Charlie.  Eleanor Burt played young Molly, the third member of their little gang, and a romantic complication for both boys as time went on.  Also impressive in these scenes was Jack Sheward as Big Joe – a very convincing portrait of someone with learning difficulties, who back in those times was as often mistreated as he was understood.  Jack did very well to establish this character of very few words, using good physicality and vocalisations. 

As time passed, the roles of Tommo, Charlie and Molly were most ably taken up by Billy Jordan, Alex Ingram and Imogen Chalk (via some nicely done onstage transitions).  These three actors were the heart and soul of the play, and they each delivered admirably.  Well done to them all.  In particular, the final scene between Tommo and Charlie, as the latter awaited his fate at the hands of the firing squad, carried a real emotional punch and was performed with great skill.  Billy also handled the narration element of his role with great assurance, taking us along with him through the story. 

Good support to this talented team of young actors was provided by Vicky Moloney, a warm and confident presence as Mrs Peaceful; Roz Chalk, who portrayed a series of (mainly) grumpy characters with relish; and Tony Fisher, whose Recruiting Sergeant injected a touch of Pythonesque humour (shades of Michael Palin, I thought!)  Steve Peace brought a realistic nastiness to Horrible Hanley – every much a villain as the unseen enemy.  A wider ensemble of children and adults filled the remainder of the roles, and did so very well.  It was particularly touching to see Tommo and Charlie’s band of brothers dwindling in numbers as time went on – a reminder of the harsh realities of war.

Very good use was made of a flexible set, where simple items of furniture such as stools were imaginatively transformed into battlefield trenches and, in a pivotal early scene, a falling tree.  Good use was also made of effective lighting, particularly during the battlefield scenes, which were suitably gloomy to reflect the fog of war, but still light enough to enable us to see the actors’ faces.  A fine balance, well achieved.

Costumes were well chosen and largely appropriate to the period, (although some of the footwear was decidedly modern!)  Musical accompaniment was provided by a five piece acoustic band and vocalist.  Folk and playground songs such as ‘Oranges and Lemons’ took on an increasingly haunting feel as the play went on, which added to the atmosphere. 

The play finished with a very moving and powerful tableau, in which the cast stood on the darkened stage, heads bowed, as the names of the 290+ soldiers executed for cowardice or desertion scrolled up on screens at either side.  This was an effective and profound conclusion to a play that really brought home the madness of war.  Well done to everyone at the Norbury theatre for honouring their memory with such skill and respect. 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.