When The Lights Go On Again

This show transports us back to the days of World War ll and is centred on the Parker family.  The basic scenery worked well together with the cinema screen showing photographs of the Second World War both at home and abroad.  There were also well known speeches from various wartime leaders.

John Cahill held the family together as Fred Parker and he was supported by Alison Waters as his wife, Alice, Doreen Smith (Gran), Stefan Grant (David), Roxanne Williams (Jane) together with Francesca Tetley (Susan) and Finlay Waterhouse (Jimmy) as the youngest members of the family.

Musical numbers, solos and groups, were performed well, and there was much “flag waving” and audience participation throughout.  It was a nice touch to be able to “hire” a flag to wave, with a donation being made to charity.

Much of the comedy was found in scenes such as the Saturday night dance, the Camp Concert, “Over the garden wall” and the queues for the cinema and butchers with some solid characterisations by all the cast, a number of whom doubled up on parts. 

Special mention must go to Jo Beetham (Elsie Jones) and Katrina Knights (Vera Herbert) for the quick witted “Over the Garden Wall” scene, which had the audience in stitches.

We were warmly welcomed by the “Front of house” staff (which included members of the cast) dressed in 1940’s style, and there was plenty of bunting decorating the Village Hall, adding to the wartime feel and helping to create the right atmosphere from the start which was then maintained throughout.

Everyone worked hard to give the show the “40's feeling” – it was a treat for the whole audience to be served a 1940’s “tea” during the interval – spam and “mock crab” sandwiches, with fruit tea loaf to follow. 

Congratulations to everyone involved in the production – it was a lovely trip down memory lane for many of the audience.
 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.