131. Oh What a Lovely War!

World War versus World Cup…

After audiences for The Sorcerer totalled a mere 620, the Committee decided that the policy of performing Gilbert & Sullivan shows in the summer was not effective so attempted putting on musicals in the hope that a wider following would be attracted – sadly this tactic also had little success. However, as 2018 marked the centenary of the end of World War One, it was hoped that a reprise of Oh What a Lovely War! might prove to be a timely attraction.

Lisa Gilmour, a local Drama teacher with strong connections to RAODS, was eager to direct the show and was helped by two directing debutants with Mike Pavitt as her assistant and Brigitte Lavoie taking control of the music. Lisa soon impressed with her directing style as she had the ability to see a scene and then improvise further on what worked well so the many tableaux were in a seemingly constant state of improvement. Unfortunately, Lisa was called away for the best part of a month leaving the other two having to decide whether to press on or endeavour to perfect what had already been set. As a result the show went in the theatre with a very confident Act 1 but a rather under-rehearsed Act 2 – when the show ground to a halt with ten minutes to go in the first Dress Rehearsal, nobody was particularly surprised.

In the 2000 production of Oh What a Lovely War! the male actors moved their dressing room onto the stage behind the scenery making the many quick changes manageable. Lisa took this idea a step further and arranged for the copious hats, sashes, flags and general props to be stored on stage in 6 large boxes (which also served as seats and platforms as needed). The performers then visited the appropriate box to collect their next costume when needed – it took a while but this worked well once people planned ahead and stopped taking the first hat they came across.

Now that the Echo had decided not to review amateur shows, an online organisation, Scene1+ became the ‘go to’ people and their critic was struck by the use of the boxes,  ‘First night nerves were apparent (as expected!), however I was impressed with the use of the props out of the boxes which was well thought out and cleverly executed. Taking on the different characters is never an easy task, yet tonight I must mention the following individuals. French General, Mike Pavitt had a superb accent and immaculate mannerisms. Katy Lewis gave a spirited and enjoyable performance and I look forward to her taking on more roles in the future. The two younger members of the core ensemble Tom Fritter and Connor Sturrock gave notable performances. Joseph Wright gave excellent command and presence throughout the whole show.The whole production was clever, considerate and left the audience contemplating the futility of war. An enjoyable production and definitely worth seeing!’

Sadly the anticipated interest in the centenary of WW1 did not materialise (possibly too early in the year). Instead the main competition came from the opening games of the World Cup and audiences slumped to 425 - leading to a loss of £3482.

Terry O'Farrell

                                                      Mike Pavitt (Germany) and Katie Lewis (Gallant Little Belgium)

         Sergeant Major David Collis admired by Carole Westbrook, Gillian Parry, Hilary Green and Katy Lewis

 The trenches: Jonathan Fulcher, Joseph Wright, Alan Rimmer, Tom Fritter, Connor Sturrock, Paul Dawson-Plincke

                                                                   Tom Fritter as a golden retriever!

                              Philip de Grouchy as Field Marshall Earl Haig

                                 Sarah Fulcher as Sylvia Pankhurst aided by Pauline Shorney and Katy Lewis