The Long and the Short and the Tall

Another inspired choice of play by The Grange Players telling the intriguing World War two tale of seven ill prepared British soldiers who stumble upon a deserted store hut deep in the Malayan jungle during the Japanese advance on Singapore in 1942. The action picks up when they capture a Japanese scout heading towards the hut, only to be taken in as part of an enemy trap.

Initially he gets the prisoner rough treatment but a battle of wills soon commences as some of the troop become more amiable to him.

There were some impressive performances from the entire cast; Dexter Whitehead is excellent as the company leader “Sgt Mitchem” who faces the difficult task of deciding the fate of the prisoner; Robert Newton as the annoying cockney “Pte Bamforth”; David Thane as the overzealous “Cpl Johnston”;  Joseph Hicklin as the well disciplined “L/Cpl McLeish”; Gary Pritchard as the peacekeeping “Pte Smith”; Aarron Armstrong-Craddock as Welshman “Pte Evans” and George Wyton as the under pressure radio operator “Pte Whitaker”. But for me the most effective performance came from Jason Lee as the silent Japanese Soldier with his expressions of the eventual resignation to the fact that all will not end well saying far more than any dialogue.

A fabulous set with good atmospheric lighting complimented the show well, as did the authentic soldier’s uniforms and weapons.

Excellent direction from Rosemary Manjunath ensured the pace was maintained throughout keeping the action ticking along nicely.

A warm and friendly welcome with generous hospitality made for a wonderful night’s entertainment.

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