This moving and powerful play takes its title from the seven hundred strong battalion from Accrington Lancs, which marched off optimistically to join Kitchener’s New Army and was decimated at the battle of the Somme in 1916.
Glimpses are given of the life at the front but the play’s dramatic power lies in the linking of the public event to the private lives of the working class wives, daughters and lovers who were left behind, living on hope and official misinformation about what was actually happening to the ‘Pals’ in France.
The play explores a whole range of emotions, humorous in parts and extremely poignant in others, and paints a picture of the changes in civilian life during wartime.
Publicity #1: Accrington Pals
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: February 20 2003 issue – Leisure Scene Section – page 7
Correspondent: Michelle Nevell
Text Header: In the wars with Wick
Sub-Text Header: Heart-rending tale of devastation wrought on community by WWl
Text: Content
THE effects of World War I on the soldiers and their loved ones left behind are played out by Wick Theatre Company in their next production.
The Accrington Pals is set in 1914 and tells the story of those who went marching off to war full of optimism and high spirits. They were the men of the local volunteer battalion which was part of Lord Kitchener’s new army in France.
Their story and that of the girls they leave behind is told in Peter Whelan’s moving play. Glimpses of life in the trenches are seen, and the play paints a picture of how wartime affects the lives of the wives, daughters and lovers left at home.
Tough and strong-minded May Hassall works hard to make her vegetable stall a success, saving quietly for her dream shop. When her young lodger Tom Hackford volunteers, she tries to change his mind, as she fears he is throwing his future away. Tom’s friend, Ralph, is also joining up and brings his girlfriend Eva Mason to take over Tom’s room. Although different, May and Eva become friends. The religious Arthur Boggis has also joined the Pals, leaving behind his tartar of a wife Annie and their son, Reggie.
Director Katie Brownings has chosen a cast of new and experienced members, some moving up from the Young Wick section. May is played by Alexis Hills, and her lodger, Tom, by Ryan Lainchbury. Serena Brand plays Eva Mason and Mark Best appears s Ralph. David Bickers and Kate Hills are Mr and Mrs Boggis and Sturat Isaac their son Reggie. Zoe Edden, Theresa Furr and Simon Birks complete the cast.
The Accrington Pals runs from March 5 to 8 at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, at7.45pm. Tickets cost £6. Call the Barn box office on 01273 597094.
Review #1: The Accrington Pals
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: March 13 2003 issue – Leisure Scene Section – page 8
Reviewer: Jaime Hailstone
Text Header: A tender tale of going to war
Text Sub Header: …was a fitting tribute to those who paid the ultimate price
Text: Content
THE first casualty of war is innocence, the second is hope and the third are the generations robbed of the chance to live as they would have liked.
The Accrington Pals by Peter Whelan brought the effects of World War 1 on the soldiers and their loved ones left behind vividly to life at the Barn theatre, Southwick, last week by the Wick theatre Company. Kate Browning’s directorial debut made for a moving and thought provoking evening, with some unforgettable performances.
In September 1914, 1100 men in Accrington volunteered to form the 11th East Lancashire regiment, which became known as The Accrington Pals. Many more local men were turned away. On July 1st, 1916, between 7.30am and 8am, 584 out of 720 Pals who went over the top at the Somme were killed, wounded or missing in action …
No play can ever come close to depicting the actual horrors of war and its terrible consequences, yet the Wick production handled the subject matter with dignity. The cast was superb, reflecting the shift in mood from hope to despair.
Particular mention should go to the technicians for the way slides, audio effects and lighting were used on stage to enhance the drama.
The Accrington Pals really was a fitting tribute to those who paid the ultimate price.
Review #2: The Accrington Pals
Publication: Brighton Argus
Publication Data: March 19 2003
Reviewer: Barrie Jerram
Text Header: The horror of battle
Text: Content
PETER Whelan’s play movingly tells the story of the men of Accrington who rushed to volunteer for service during the First World War and the effect it had on the women left behind.
It is a tale that combines the horrors of war – the battle-front scenes being most realistically achieved – with two doomed love affairs between the pragmatic May and Tom, the idealist dreamer, and the young romantics Eva and Ralph.
It also depicted the challenges the war brought to beliefs not only of religion but also the honesty of public information.
Despite the seriousness of its subject the evening provided a great deal of humour, mainly from the neighbours, Sarah and Bertha.
The play was an interesting reminder, how the attitude to war has changed. Almost a century ago, a jingoistic nation marched off proudly, whereas today, people take to the streets to revent it.
The strength of the Wick Theatre’s production lay with the three excellent performances from the actresses playing May, Eva, and Sarah. Lex Hills [May] managed to capture the anguish of the older woman’s love for the younger Tom and her stubborn refusal to compromise. I particularly liked the interplay between her and Serena Brand [Eva]. There was a very touching scene between them where May, ignorant of sexual matters seeks guidance from the younger but experienced girl. Serena’s performance truly had the essence of Eva – a warm, loving and honest young girl – and contributed greatly to the play’s humour, as did the last of the trio, Zoë Edden, as Sarah. Zoë bringing with her a great comic talent that we saw in Dancing at Lughnasa.
They were well supported by the rest of the company with perhaps, the male acting honours going to Mark Best as Ralph, contrasting his jack-in-lad behaviour with the tender love he felt for Eva.
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