The Old Lady Shows Her Medals and Barbara's Wedding

These two plays, “The Old Lady Shows Her Medals” (written and first performed in 1917) and “Barbara’s Wedding (written in1918 but not performed until 1927) were written during the First World War by J M Barrie. They are significant mainly because they are works of their time. The themes and language are authentic to the period without awkwardness or seemingly forced language. Although he was 54 years when the war started he got involved with things and I think this led to the writing of them.

In “The Old Lady Shows Her Medals” the star was undoubtedly Jackie Foster as Mrs. Dowey. She was trying to involve herself in the war but it backfired so you had both sides of her character; enthusiasm and disappointment. She was well supported by Marianne Smith (Mrs Twymley), Sue Smith (Mrs Mickleham), Richard Meeson (Mr Willings), Georgina Boase (The Haggerty Woman) and Gary Plaisted (private Dowey).

“Barbara’s Wedding” was mainly about an old soldier’s reminisces about the past cause and a bit of confusion in the present. This play is not one of the best I have seen. It did not seem to have much of a story but the part of The Colonel played by Roger Hearn did a lot to keep the interest going for the audience. He was well supported by Richard Dexter (Dering), Claire Dunbar (Barbara), N A Menlos (Karl) and Teresa Ericke Granny/Ellen).

Both the plays were directed by Peter Webber and produced by Bobby Tomkins. Even though these were not my favourite choice of plays I thoroughly the enjoyed both performances! Well done to all concerned!

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