Safe

SAFE is a new play, written by directors Allan and Janet Scott. The story tells of children being evacuated to the country at the outset of World War II, and focuses particularly on one family of 3 children.

The play starts with the Dalgleish family discussing the impending evacuation and train journey from Clydebank to Kirkcudbright. Mum and Dad, Edith and Alec, are torn whether to let the children go, but decide it will be for the best, “just in case”. The children have never been out of their city environment and when they arrive at their destination there is no family waiting for them. Belle Kirkpatrick, sensitively played by Joyce Reekie, arrives to offer a home for the 3 children despite the objections of Judith Henry, who has been organising the billeting of the evacuees. Judith, very organised and efficient was played excellently by Janet Scott (co-author).

Belle lives on a farm with her brother Davie, played by Tommy Thomson, who is known to be very set in his ways and reluctant to house any evacuees. I enjoyed his transition from being a grumpy man to one who enjoyed the children’s company. There is no alternative, and Belle is secretly keen to take them in, so the children go to live at the farm. Never having lived in the country it is all new to them and I liked Lizzie’s comment "I will never drink milk again since I now know where it comes from”.

The children all eventually settle into their new school and new ways of life in the country. And gradually work their way into Davie and Belles affections.

Soon other evacuees from the central belt start to drift back home, as there have been no bombings in Glasgow and they are homesick.

When the children’s parents (Alec and Edith, played very well by Gavin Millar and Rebecca Beck write to the Kirkpatricks to say they want to come to pick the children up to take them home, as they have missed them so much, Belle, Davie and the children are all very sad. When the day arrives, everyone enjoys themselves with a day out and picnic, before the family leave and return to Clydebank.

Not long afterwards the bombing of Clydebank starts and the family are caught up in it. They lose their home and narrowly escape with their lives.

The whole family return to the countryside and help Belle and Davie run the farm until the end of the war.

The characters were all strong and the casting excellent. Everyone played their role very well and the dialogue was clear at all times.

The three children Sandy, Mary and Lizzie, were all brilliantly played by Gavin Millar, Rebecca Beck and Stephanie Drummond who, despite being adults, bring to life the antics of the youngsters as well as the emotions of their situation, in a very believable way.

The main characters were well supported by the Minister, the shopkeeper and the head teacher played by Jim Gordon, Alison Murdoch and Cath Monk respectively. Nan Russell, the local gossip and busy body, superbly played by Kay Potts, added a lot of humour to the play, and Meghan Whalen was very good as Nan’s daughter Marigold.

Jim, Cath and Janet also doubled up as ARP Wardens during the Clydebank Blitz and their scene describing the devastation that took place there in the short two days of 13th and 14th March 1941 was so very poignant with the factual delivery supported by projection, being very emotional.

The subject matter was very well researched, and all the facts and figures presented in an excellent way, both through dialogue and good use of projection. The use of projected images to change scenes was also very effective.

The play brought home the reality of the war. A reality that most people in the audience will never have experienced or been able to comprehend. As well as factual the play was humorous and emotional. All in all, it was a very pleasant and educational evening, bringing a difficult subject to the present generation and helping them to appreciate how lucky we are to live in a relatively free society.

This play could have been set in any location where bombing took place and children were evacuated and with a few small changes in dialogue for regional accuracy could be well worth being performed round the country, where I have no doubt, it would be as well received as it was in Castle Douglas.

A huge well done to all.

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