Remembrance

In this time of remembrance of World War I KYDS Youth Drama Group have produced for the local community an entertaining evening consisting of a one act play called Remembrance’ by Mark Rees, a singalong of first world war songs, followed by a short comedy sketch called The Hero’s Return.

James Stocker, a young, talented up-and-coming director, has chosen a very poignant one act play which is the first drama he has directed. It tells of the doomed young love of Emily – Sophie Stocker; and Tom – Peter Greenwood. Peer pressure from the young boys around him makes him enlist in the army, to go off to fight in the war, even though they are all under age. When the war was over it became known that over quarter of a million under-age boys died. It is suggested that the government of the time was well aware of this.

This is the first time that KYDS have been at the new Tiptree Community Centre and full marks for making a stage with thrust and excellent flats upstage and on the wings.

These were painted with a park scene and a bandstand. Grass covered the front of the flats and the up-stage area which gave depth to the scene. There were some issues with the lighting, particularly with a lack of balance across the rig, however it was understood that the dimmer pack had a problem which led to the loss of some lighting fixtures. At the same time the show had very limited access to rig the lighting. Nonetheless, with limited facilities the technical team did a good job.

There was excellent acting by Sophie Stocker as Emily. This young lady has a great talent and I do hope that she continues to do more as she certainly held the stage with her performance. This production was also a family affair as Sophie’s other brother Andrew was in the production. Andrew had good projection as the leader of the gang but maybe could learn not to use his hands so much in ‘panto’ style! Their mother made the excellent dresses for the two girls. Becky Wright as Maggie, the young adolescent so interested in what it was to be in love, was charming and it was great fun to see the kissing scene with John played confidently by Ben Collins. His expression during the kiss was priceless!  There was lovely team work from the young school children, who were bent on bullying Emily and a quiet, understated, eloquent performance by Peter as the ill-fated Tom who was shot by his own side due to the accusation of cowardice at the front. Roger Lyons and Ray Banks, as Sir Arthur Markham and Mr Tennant respectively, were both able in their respective roles even if first night nerves crept in a bit at the beginning for Roger.

The second half of the evening consisted of a sing-along with the audience and then a duo by two pretty, talented singers, Abigail Morgan and Daisy Greenwood, performing ‘Somewhere only we know’. To end the evening a small sketch was presented, narrated by Ray Banks. This was highly amusing as it was done in mime by the three actors, Jon Beales, Bradley Cole and Alice Mason. A great finish to the evening. Well done KYDS – you worked very hard and the evening was a great success. We hope you continue to try out more drama during your season.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.