The Accrington Pals

A simple set was used for this very poignant tale set in World War 1 and directed by Tony Giddings.  A screen at the back provided appropriate images and a brick wall on one side worked well as a backdrop for some scenes not set in the town.  The play centres mainly around the women left behind when groups of friends decide to enlist together to form a battalion famously known as the Accrington Pals. The battalion suffered devastating losses and these losses were hard to bear in a community where nearly everyone had a relative or friend who had been killed or wounded.

The central character, who has a very large proportion of the dialogue in this play, is May.  Ange Davis, who took on this huge role, was exceptional.  Everything about her was perfect for the role and she gave a fine performance. This is a very long play but she kept the pace going well so that it never dragged.  I cannot commend her highly enough for this outstanding performance.

All of the other principals gave excellent performances. They each had very defined characters and showed an ease on the stage only evident with very confident and experienced performers.

There was some good use of background music including, of course, The Accrington Pal’s song by Mike Harding, which really set the tone of the play.  However, the very loud soundtrack of the boys brigade playing as the men went to war unfortunately prevented us from hearing any of the dialogue in that scene, which was a shame.

There was lovely attention to detail in the set, with May’s stall full of fruit and veg and a lovely cosy feel to the kitchen.  The use of a red light in the final scene didn’t quite work for me and I wonder whether a very white light might have been a better option for the heart breaking scene in which May sees the dead Tom before her and comes to the realisation that she has lost him.  However otherwise lighting and sound was very good.  Likewise, costumes and makeup all worked well.

This was a very accomplished performance by everyone involved; my congratulations to you all.

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