It’s said that actors are warned never to work with children and animals. It’s advice the Seaview Players ignored to great effect in last week’s production of Goodnight Mister Tom in Brightlingsea Community Centre.
The play, based on Michelle Magorians’ book, tells the tale of mistreated city boy William Beech, evacuated to the country at the beginning of WWII. If the intakes of breath from the female members of the audience at dramatic moments were anything to go by, the show touched plenty of hearts.
Billeted with Tom Oakley, an irascible old countryman, William – ill-educated and cowed by his mother’s abuse – comes out of his shell under Tom’s care and the friendship of other children in the village. Tom, meanwhile, has his rough edges smoothed as he grows to love the boy who replaces the son who died, along with his wife, many years before.
Garry Huggins gave Tom just the right amount of gruff and heart in a part that saw him rarely off the stage. Jack Redbourn was wholly believeable as mistreated William, giving an emotional performance that was a joy to watch. I thought the scene with his deranged mother, played with venom by Gemma Campbell particularly strong.
The young actors in the show were all a joy to watch, confident and clear. Nathaniel Tanton was a properly posh and kind Zachariah Wrench, while Zak Higgleton was a convincing bully as George Fletcher. Molly Morgan-Stevens, Jemima Wilby and Lottie Foster were all delightful as Carrie, Ginnie and Annie.
Supporting roles were all well-filled, with several cast members playing two or three parts, having to change costumes – and accents – to suit.
But what of the animals? If you’ve seen the film, which starred John Thaw, you’ll have seen that Sammy the collie dog has a big part in the story. Seaview Players went for the War Horse approach, using a lifesize puppet, masterfully controlled by Peter Harry. Intially, Sammy’s arrival on stage drew a chuckle, but it was soon easy to forget his human ‘driver’.
Overall it was a touching and enjoyable evening. If the Players can maintain and develop their young talent for future productions there’ll be plenty to look forward to.