The novel has acquired iconic status since its publication in 1981. And David Wood’s sensitive dramatization, after opening at Chichester, enjoying two West End runs and now touring until the end of May, is rapidly going the same way. And it gets better each time I see it.
Evacuee Willie Beech, abused by his mentally ill mother, is billeted with curmudgeonly widower Tom Oakley where, after many ups and downs he eventually finds secure happiness. There’s a lot of death and distress. This is wartime after all. There’s also a great deal of positive love and hope. The balance and pace are such that it’s very compelling and, few eyes are dry at the end.
David Troughton’s Mr Tom is a very rough and reclusive (and he’s much better at this than Oliver Ford Davis was in previous runs of the play or than John Thaw was in the TV film) at the beginning. Gradually gentle kindness is unlocked as he and Willie rescue each other from trauma – Tom who has lost his wife and baby forty years earlier and refused, until now, to move on and Willie who is a seriously abused child. Willie Beech and ebullient Zach are played by three different children in different performances in accordance with child employment law.
Other roles are played by a talented ensemble who present cameos of the doctor in Tom’s village, Mrs Beech, the misguided nurses who try to impose rigid treatment in Willie in Act 2, the Londoners sitting in an air raid shelter and much more.
Sammy the dog, an important and endearing character is beautifully puppeted and voiced by Elisa de Grey. The canine movements, sound and behaviour are impressively well observed.
War songs add to the poignancy of this gentle thoughtful play and the sets – based for much of it on 1940s railway station posters are effective. And the drama of Willie’s descent back into hell with his mother in the second half is beautifully supported by an imaginative set which closes like a huge hinged jaw.
It would work very well for upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 school parties. Warmly recommended.
Review by Susan Elkin mage: Dan Tsantilis