Today we celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day, and to remember this occasion, the Mercury Theatre in Colchester made a video of their 2018 stage Musical 'Pieces Of String' available to watch online, just for the one day.
With book, music and lyrics all by Gus Gowland, the show tells the story of three generations of the same family with realism, creativity, poignancy, heart, and sensitivity. A mum and her two siblings enter an empty house immediately after attending a funeral. We learn that the funeral was the mother's father, whilst this was his house and she wants to box up 'all the junk' and get shut of the whole thing as soon as possible. Whilst this action is happening in the present, we also have a second story unfolding, only this time it's 1940 and we see newlyweds setting up their first house together before the young man dons an army uniform and is called up to war. Of course the newlyweds are the mother's parents and the house is the same one, just a few decades apart.
The mother, her name is Jane, (Carol Starks), tends to handle things rather badly. She has a teenage duaghter, Gemma (Ella Dunlop), who appears, as far as Jane is concerned a smart-alec and a bit renegade, which irks her. However Gemma is very rooted, down-to-earth, and sensible. Jane's son, Edward (Andy Coxan) is older, and has brought his boyfriend Harry (Garry Wood) along to the funeral againast his mum's wishes. She is disapproving of their relationship and deliberately tries to block it wherever possible. She is accused in the show as being a homophobe. There is much bickering and animosity between the three (or four if you count Harry), that is really quite typical of a family of such a dynamic, especially when there is no father in the picture.
The 1940's story shows typical young love and domestic bliss being torn apart by a young man going to war. Whilst on the front he meets a young man, Tom (Joel Harper-Jackson), and so begins a romance which is deep-rooted and life-long. Even when Edward Snr (Craig Mather), returns from the war in civvies on VE Day, and settles down again with his wife, Anna (Lauren Hall); neither he nor Tom can completely cut the ties and love that bind them. It is a secret that he takes to the grave with him.
It is a secret however that the modern family soon find out, as they are visited by Tom's sister, Rose (Marilyn Cutts), now an elderly lady, who had a promise to keep, and that was to give Edward, (or at least his descendants) a box full of memories and love letters between the two.
The single composite set worked excellently, especially with some well thought through complimentary lighting and sound. And as the two stories interwined and used the same space it was cleverly directed by Ryan McBryde. All the cast were superb, and it was a very moving and yet uplifting experience. The music was emotive and tuneful, and added to the characters and their situations well, building upon our already touched nerves. The show offered both memorable songs and memorable, sympathetic performances. The stand-out performance for me though was Marilyn Cutts's Rose. A beautifully drawn characterisation which had heart, soul and spirit.
I am not one for crying or showing emotion whilst watching a film or, as this was, behind a screen on my computer; there is no intimacy nor do I really find myself getting immersed and involved in the same way as I would at a live performance. However I can say that there were tears in my eyes on several occasions throughout this show. It was powerful in its simplicity, honesty and humanity.
I hope that once we are allowed to open the theatres again, this production will find a renewed voice and perhaps tour to bring new audiences up and down the UK to this truthful and emotive Musical.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 8/5/20
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