June 2014 by Brumas

 

The theatrical world is currently awash with reminiscences commemorating the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, although the greatest of plays arising from that conflict, R.C. Sherriff’s classic Journey’s End has been withdrawn from amateur production by the publisher; a pity as this was the first Nomad production in 1934 (and Nomads are celebrating their 80th anniversary).

 

Nomads chose a different approach, producing an original revue featuring songs, sketches, readings and poems, researched, written and directed by member, Phil Wilcox, with useful last-minute guidance by Artistic Director, Steve Whittock. Mr Wilcox spent a considerable time assembling the material into a coherent and logical form, interestingly in a time sequence which took us from pre-war fears to the aftermath of a precarious future. He also acted as m/c and introducer, as well as being part of the ensemble. An enormous effort, well rewarded by enthusiastic audiences.

 

The versatile ensemble of eight woman and six men switched effortlessly from a heart-rending Lawrence Binyon or Wilfred Owen poem or Vera Brittain poignant prose, via comedy sketches from the trenches and the home front, to recruiting and music hall standard songs, and even a fairly modern folk song. I had not realised just how much black humour was to be found on the Western front or that the famous “Woodbine Willy” wrote such cynical humorous verse. The audience would be joining in with a well-known song at one moment and reduced to tears a few seconds later.

 

Maurice Buckley accompanied all the musical items and Georgina Clifton arranged the dancing. Lightning changes of costume-parts and props (feather boas, tin helmets. etc) augmented the basic black costumes, enlivened by huge poppies, and the whole cast convinced us that a bare stage was suddenly converted into the front-line, a Yorkshire Town Hall, a London street or the Gallipoli beaches

 

Horsley Choral Society contributed their own spot, but were most effective in the rousing finale Keep the Home Fires Burning, emerging from the shadows almost like ghosts from the battlefield, to ensure a rousing finish.

 

In case any reader should think if this dramatic exercise as in way British “jingoism” let’s point to the fact that the experience of the other major combatants - German, French, Turkish, American and Colonial – was also beautifully expressed.

 

An evening of laughter, tears and nostalgia. Sentimental but never sententious.

 

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