Reviews

Ridgeway Bell, November 1998

Oh What A Lovely War

I was meandering through Holy Cross car park one evening in late September, as one does, when I heard activity emanating from the Church Hall. Being incurably inquisitive (I think, nosy, is just a little strong) I peered through a window and saw activity, and heard singing. So, fresh from Choir practice, I wondered who and what it could be and so eased myself through the doors and into the back of the Hall, unnoticed I hoped.

On a seat in front of me was a working copy of something that called itself Oh What A Lovely War. Feint echoes came back of, was it a play? or was it a film?, I could not remember but, like the majority, I assumed it was some lighthearted skit on the First World War. Oh no, no, no, no, no! how very very wrong that impression turned out to be.

I sat enthralled for the next hour as the Ridgeway Theatre Company rehearsed this play.. It is a deeply moving parody of war and of those who lead, perpetuate and continue such wars. It is a withering, devastating indictment of war and of the dithering detached dementia of those who conduct it. The uselessness of such death and destruction and the tragic consequences are finely honed within he play. Yes, the play is at a superficial level light hearted and fun but it is this very juxtaposition of the superficiality to the deep deep understanding of the appalling abyss that was the first world war that makes this play so compelling.

I returned with wonder that people I know so well could become for that short time the very characters they were portraying. I can only add that the passion and expertise put into the acting and singing makes for a performance that should not be missed. You will not be disappointed and may well be moved, as was I, to shed a tear or two for those who died between 1914 and 1918 - and indeed in every other war through the words and actions of this play. We shall remember.

Ridgeway Bell, December 1998

We Have Made It

Last month I wrote that I hoped to be able to say officially that The Friends of Holy Cross had met the target they set themselves and that the cost of re-roofing the church has been met. I can and I do!

This has happened because the profits from Oh What a Lovely War - you'll remember the production was in aid of the Church Roof Fund - were very good. Informed estimates are that The Friends (and therefore the Roof Fund) will receive around £1500. When all the adding up and the bills have been paid, I'll let you have the real figure.

363 tickets were sold out of a possible 100. Those of you who saw it will witness to an extraordinarily professional and crisp performance. Being staged over the Armistice Day commemorations made the event even more poignant. We hope to publish a proper review next month.

But meanwhile the Friends must thank the Ridgeway Theatre Group, Charlotte Mannion the director and her 52-strong team of actors, behind the scenes people, seamstresses, pom pom makers and kepi makers. It was a wonderful idea brilliantly executed. Our heartfelt thanks to them all. The production fulfilled our two main aim: Holy Cross was full of people for most of the week and funds were raised for the fabric.

Adrian Hawksley

Evening Advertiser, 11 November 1998

Evening Advertiser, November 2004

Our Town

Ralph Jones received a letter from one audience member saying: 'I am no theatre lover.  However, I really cannot remember when I was last so enchanted and totally enthralled, from start to  finish, by any film, video, play, whatever.'  So - those who missed it, missed a treat!