The Accrington Pals

The Accrington Pals 
By Peter Whelan
Presented by Wigan Little Theatre 

Friday, 24th October 2025

The narrative follows the story of innocent and enthusiastic men who volunteer their services to King and Country, after Kitchener’s call for a new Army.  We experience the life of “The Pals” on the Western Front, in contrast, we follow the lives of the women
left behind in Accrington, women who come together as friends facing financial and social difficulties, whilst missing loved ones and having to face the social changes caused by the absence of many men. Inevitably, by 1916 and the Battle of the Somme, national optimism and jingoism begins to wane as the horror and sacrifice of war sets in. The men perish in the "Big Push" and the women band together to force the authorities to tell them the truth about the harrowing fates of their husbands and sons. Eight hundred and Fifty men from ‘The Accrington Pals’ were killed. Today, if you walk to any village memorial in that area, you will see names, now fading on the grey stone; a reminder of what this intensely moving play is all about and the human tragedy behind each name. 

The Cast .... 
‘May’ is played by Lucy Giddings ... An independent stall holder, secretly in Love with her lodger second cousin Tom. 

‘Tom’ is played by Kit Lawton ... A sensitive and idealistic young man. 

 ‘Eva’ is played by Lois Graham...  A mill girl and May's friend

 ‘Ralph’ is played by Nicholas Walsh ...  Eva's Sweetheart. 

 ‘Bertha’ is played by Scarlett Glanfield

 ‘Arthur’ is played by Philip Ashurst & ‘Annie’ played by Tara Heywood...  A married couple. 

‘Reggae’ is played by Zayn Khan

‘C.S.M Rivers’ is played by Gary Fishwick

The Play ... is a notoriously difficult one to Direct, simply because of the many significant challenges it throws up, mainly relating to casting and the handling of the many sensitive historical themes that need to addressed and dealt with ... so I’d like to ‘heap’ some praise’ on Chris Boyle for accepting the challenge and his vision in bringing life and meaning to it!

The power of the play lies in its ability to connect the many personal stories to the monumental historical tragedy that it depicts. The play opened with a silent movie background which was cleverly created, bringing the most perfect of atmospheres for what was to follow. Despite some nuance and some believable character created, in particular the character ‘May’ played by Lucy Giddings ... the play, unfortunately, on occasions, didn't quite achieve its full emotional impact.

For this play to work, one of the key components, is the ability of the cast to convincingly show the audience the bond that develops between friends and crucially the chemistry that develops between May and Tom.  So much of the plays essential emotional elements hang on those two situations being believable and real. We also need to feel that cast have fully invested in the narrative, without that, the narrative and the emotional impact will be diluted. 

This is a long play, so timing can and is always a factor, but I would have liked to have seen more emotional pauses, particularly when reading the newspaper reports and just a little more ‘light and shade’ when building towards the growing sense of solidarity and subsequent march on the town hall. There were times when I felt the cast were performing but not living the story and I know that’s not always easy, but the success of the play really does hinge on those subjects being to the fore! 

Despite some of my comments, I really would like to stress and applaud some lovely authentic natural moves and some lovely individual moments created by many of the cast members.
At the final bows, no one could deny the applause from the audience, which I felt was genuine and sustained for some time! 

Another night of real “Theatre at Wigan Little Theatre”. 
Thank you for the invite, looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

David Davies 
Assistant Area Rep 
NODA NW – District 6

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