When The Lights Go on Again

Roy Sault’s When The Lights Go On Again features songs from World War 2, with short vignettes featuring the Parker family and taking us on a musical journey of nostalgic memories and songs.

With bunting outside the Peace Community Theatre a fitting tribute to mark VE Day on its 80th anniversary this year, the audience were supplied with flags to wave too. Entering the theatre the composite set shows the living-room of the Parkers house. With settee Centre Stage complete with cushions and antimacassar. A rocking chair Stage Right and wooden chair Stage Left and at the back of the settee.  Stage Left was an old-fashioned radio. At the back was a coat stand and standard lamp. A raised area was along the back with stairs Stage Right and Left, which was used for various scenes. Benches were also used. Two video walls at the front either side of the stage, this was used to show actual footage of Churchill and others in the government, giving out information - it took us up to the end in 1945. The front of the stage had bunting strung across and the back wall was covered in camouflage, looking very effective. Lighting and Sound all added to the production. Lighting design Alan Dodd and Paul Cohen, Operation was Louise Cohen. Sound was Alan Dodd. Properties were Janet Hardman and Kiersten Keogh. Wardrobe was by Janet Hardman and Dorothy Jones - some lovely period costumes: quite a list and the various changes too with the cast taking on more than one role.

Choreography was by Paul Cohen doing the Company and Kelly Mabon the Dancers, which was all fitting. Musical Director was Neil Ravenscroft who had a mammoth task with over thirty songs and the audience clearly enjoyed it, with great harmonies. The Orchestra sounded great. Conductor/Key 1 Neil Ravenscroft, Alto Sax was Jo Kerrigan, Tenor Sax was Graham Reuben, Trumpet was Nikki Taylore-Wylde, Trombone was Steve Sandiford, Bass was Amy Browne and Drums, Amy Gray.

The Director was Paul Cohen who has done this show before so he knows what he wants from it. With a large cast they are moved effortlessly around the stage, integrating all ages. Using coming through the audience as another entrance worked  and some of the cast sitting in the audience waving their flags too. The cast clearly looked to be enjoying performing. We were taken through the war via the Parker Family Home, School Concert 1941, A Shop Queue 1940, Air Raid Wardens 1942, Cinema and Dance Hall with everyone getting their moment. The Parker Family were Alice Parker played by Jo Burton, Fred by Carl Bottomley, David - Jake Little. Jane Parker played by Iona Budis, Susan was played by Evie Sheppard. Jimmy Parker was played by Matty Gilkey, Gran by Catherine Henderson. Sylvia Grahame (David’s Girlfriend) was played by Lauren Quigley and Mark Turner (Jane’s Boyfriend) was played by Oliver Gaskell.

The family has scenes interspersed with the songs and other scenes, focusing on family life and the dynamics leading up to and during the war. The heartache of the men going to war and having just letters to hold on to. The men at war writing the letters and the girlfriends receiving them were done as monologues adding to the loneliness. This really worked. I would have loved to have seen more of Jake’s face as David Parker out to the audience when he was singing, his character was great I just wanted more. The family dynamics worked well together with the banter amongst each other and the younger ones played by Evie Sheppard and Matty Gilkey mimicking their Grandma - disgusting! Matty and Evie delivered in the songs too with The White Cliffs of Dover and There’ll Always Be an England. We were shown a scene in the cinema of the community coming together and the Dance-Hall. With the armed forces abroad bringing the comedy with Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major and The Quarter Masters StoreT bringing the fun element. The Sergeant Major was played by Colin Dean. Various songs stood out to me with Lilli Marlene sung by Vanessa Dean-Boardman. You’ll Never Know sung by Jean played by Megan Hepworth and Simon played by Adam Manning. I’ll Be seeing You sung by Jake Little playing David. The Ensemble worked well together and the scene with the women queuing and complaining about rationing with the innuendoes thrown in was fun. Whilst this show is billed as a musical it feels very much like a revue to me with a strong community spirit and Ensemble all working together.

Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Ursula and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

D5 Rep

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