Private Peaceful

It was lovely to be invited back to the Dylan Thomas Theatre for this performance of Private Peaceful.

It is a play that I had never seen before adapted by Simon Reade from the novel by Michael Morpurgo.

I had consciously made the decision not to research the play as I wanted a fresh view of the production. It is described as a play for a small ensemble and indeed that is what it turned out to be.

The cast of 10 worked really well together with the majority of them taking multiple roles, all of them playing at least two roles apart from Max Harlow and Rhys Moore who played Tommy and Charlie.

There was an open set as we entered the auditorium split into three distinct area with an interior of a cottage stage right, a central area which was covered by a raised platform with walkways leading up to it and what seemed a bunker area on stage left.

The play is set before and during World war one and through Tommo’s different memories discusses the futility of war, and how the young men of that time, some as old as 14 were sent to the trenches with little or no support.

It also highlights the us and them hierarchy that existed between the upper and what were considered the lower classes at that time.

It would be impossible to mention every role played by members of the company as there were over 40 in total but all of the ensemble of Josie Carroll, Darren Marcom, Sali Earls, Jordan Struel- White, Richard Fowler, Ian Govier, Tracey Lewis and Ioan Bolt worked really well together including helping with scene changes.

Special mention must go to Josie who played Molly, Sali who played Mrs Peaceful and Jordan who played Big Joe, whose roles were large enough without playing the other characters asked of them. Well done. I really enjoyed the fun scenes between, Molly, Tommo and Charlie as children.

Rhys Moore played the part of Charlie Peaceful the older brother who always stood up for the younger ones, even though it usually got him into trouble either in school, work or eventually when he joined the Army. This was a very good performance by Rhys for as with all the characters it took
us from early school days to adulthood.

The role of Thomos Tommo Peaceful was taken by Max Harlow and apart from a few minutes towards the end of the play, this actor did not leave the stage. He portrayed the role with pathos and made us all believe in his character as the younger brother always following his big brother.

Max was set on stage as we entered the auditorium and during the interval., quite an achievement by this actor.

I must admit that as someone who didn’t know the story the twist at the end did come as a surprise and I was impressed by the way the company handled the execution scene and the end was also very moving. As someone whose Uncle served in the First World War and father just after the Second World War the scene with the last post playing and the poppy leaves falling was very emotional.

I think Clare Owen did an extremely good job in directing this play with good use being made of the stage and the central working area, and I must congratulate everyone involved on a very powerful piece of theatre.

Congratulations to Swansea Little Theatre on their Centenary Celebrations and best wishes for the future.

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