When The Lights Go On Again

The theatre was decorated with 1940’s memorabilia and set out as if for a street party, the programme in the form of a ration book of the period. This did indeed set the stage for the feast to follow.

This show moved from the very outset with scene after scene flowing into the next and expertly including film clips from the war which contained parts of the well known speeches from the nation’s leaders at that time.

Here was a production of the best quality with no stars as such but a superb team effort which resulted in a stirring performance, giving sadness and humour ad infinitum.

Marilyn Sikes playing Alice Parker once again wooed the audience with her many solos showing off her fine soprano voice. The other members of the family ably supported her in their hour of sorrow, but above all was the irritable, grumpy and bossy grandma excellently portrayed by Sue Gent.

The cast is broken down into various groups, soldiers and wardens, singers and dancers, the local school, neighbour, letter writers and a trio representing the Andrew’s Sisters. All these with their individual parts, too numerous to mention never flagged in their efforts to keep the show lively, with good pace and well rehearsed routines. Within these groups I must mention Chloe Smith, who in the school scene gave a wonderful rendition of “The White Cliffs of Dover”. From a girl of 10 or 11 this was a valiant effort and there were many tears shed in the audience.

The staging was simple yet very effective and the costumes were all in the 40’s style thus giving authenticity to the show. Lighting was extremely good with a mixture of subdued, soft and gentle and occasionally very bright as befitted each individual scene.

Music throughout the show was of the high standard we have come to expect from this society, well controlled singing and good harmonies.

Once again, Ian Stead, the director should be proud of his work, his attention to detail and settings were first class.

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