I had the pleasure of watching an outstanding piece of writing today. ‘Waiting’ written by Gail Young and directed by the award-winning Yvette Owen. This production had the audience laughing and crying, touching our hearts in so many ways. The audience was transported back in time from the moment they stepped into the Garret Theatre, the music playing and the set that decorated the stage was immersive.
The new play ‘Waiting’ follows the Wright family from Liverpool who faced challenges and devastating news in the face of a war destined to pull us apart, that only brings us closer together. The family are torn apart when the three children Tommy (Ethan Harrison), Jean (Savannah Bristow) and Shirley (Cara Sconce) are evacuated to Wales during WWII in an attempt to escape what came to be known as The Liverpool Blitz. Liverpool suffered eight days of bombing during World War II. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed in prolonged raids which targeted the docks area at England's largest western coastal port. The city became the most heavily bombed British city outside London. The story is based loosely on Gail's own family history. The prominent theme of this show was about waiting, where every character showed their own story and struggles as time passed. We watched them wait for letters from loved ones; wait for the sirens to sound and the bombs to fall; wait for children to return to their own beds, and most importantly, wait for the all clear to leave the bomb shelter so they can pick up the pieces of their fallen city left behind.
Owen knew exactly what she wanted from this production, with a good choice of cast, giving support to the young actors who responded superbly to her direction. The production’s biggest selling point is that it is devotedly put together with a huge sense of community and commitment. A shout-out has to be given to Alison Pritchard and her scrumptious looking Victorian sponge cake which had our mouths watering.
The scouse humour was on point and made the audience laugh, staying true to the community of Liverpool. Being a born-and-bred scouser the performance really made me proud to be from Liverpool and to remember all those who lost their lives and suffered during the war.
The launch of this play was perfectly timed with the run-up to Remembrance Day, reminding us all ‘lest we forget’. All profits from ticket sales for the production are kindly being donated to UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency) to support people across the world currently facing similar challenges in their lives.
This production, involves a talented cast of young actors who were joined by singers from Chester Operatic Society and Chester-based musicians. The singers and live band were a beautifully added touch to this production and gave an uplifting joy to a very tough and challenging period of our history. The cast singing ‘Silent Night’ in Welsh was a creative addition and added a moving element during the air raid sirens. While the Wright family were suffering and sheltering from the bombs, the young ones were safe, singing and praying to their loved ones back at home. Seeing both scenes performed side by side was creatively done using lighting effects, showing a contrasting effect and experience during the war.
The costumes were a perfect fit for the era and brought each character to life alongside the never changing set that worked really well to create a picture worthy stage setting. The lighting for the performance was minimal but very effective, adding tension and emotion to the scenes. The lighting transitions were well timed and made each scene transition flawless.
There were clever uses of cinematography and photography, which only enhanced the live performances from the cast. Genuine historical footage such as Neville Chamberlain’s speech and Mill Road infirmary allowed the audience to really feel part of the Wright family, as if we were all neighbours’ experiencing the Liverpool Blitz. It was a perfect added touch by filming the wedding of David Wright (Dan Aynsley) and Teresa Doherty (Felicity Parry) at St Laurence’s Church, in Frodsham. The talented filming and editing skills of Dan Fox from Char Noir Productions was very well managed as each clip flowed together seamlessly.
Felicity Parry’s performance as Teresa Doherty was outstanding. Her use of emotion and commitment to the role pulled on the heart strings of the audience. Her tragic death reminded us of the devesting history of the maternity ward in Mill Road Hospital, Liverpool and how it took a devastating direct hit on 3 May, 1941.The bomb landed in the courtyard at the rear of the hospital, killing many mothers and their new-born babies.
Peter Wright (Ally Goodman) and Jessie Wright (Kat Tanczos) performed well together creating a family setting which faced adversity and hardship. The characters reading the letters within this production were staged and directed seamlessly causing me to have goosebumps in anticipation of good or bad news. The emotional performances had the hearts and minds of the audience, there was not a dry eye to be seen. Amy Wright played by Dawn Adams made a significant presence as she had the audience laughing the moment she stepped onto stage. This tough grandma had seen trying times herself and was worried history would repeat itself.
Gail Young’s writing had us begging for more by leaving us on a cliff-hanger not knowing if David Wright will return home from sea and finally meet his daughter. The cast coming together to sing at the end was a beautiful testament, showcasing how in Liverpool, you never walk alone and we stand together. The cast and production team fully deserved the sell-out performances and standing novation at the end
Reviewer - Abigail Bradbury
on - 11.11.23
Owen knew exactly what she wanted from this production, with a good choice of cast, giving support to the young actors who responded superbly to her direction. The production’s biggest selling point is that it is devotedly put together with a huge sense of community and commitment. A shout-out has to be given to Alison Pritchard and her scrumptious looking Victorian sponge cake which had our mouths watering.
The scouse humour was on point and made the audience laugh, staying true to the community of Liverpool. Being a born-and-bred scouser the performance really made me proud to be from Liverpool and to remember all those who lost their lives and suffered during the war.
The launch of this play was perfectly timed with the run-up to Remembrance Day, reminding us all ‘lest we forget’. All profits from ticket sales for the production are kindly being donated to UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency) to support people across the world currently facing similar challenges in their lives.
This production, involves a talented cast of young actors who were joined by singers from Chester Operatic Society and Chester-based musicians. The singers and live band were a beautifully added touch to this production and gave an uplifting joy to a very tough and challenging period of our history. The cast singing ‘Silent Night’ in Welsh was a creative addition and added a moving element during the air raid sirens. While the Wright family were suffering and sheltering from the bombs, the young ones were safe, singing and praying to their loved ones back at home. Seeing both scenes performed side by side was creatively done using lighting effects, showing a contrasting effect and experience during the war.
The costumes were a perfect fit for the era and brought each character to life alongside the never changing set that worked really well to create a picture worthy stage setting. The lighting for the performance was minimal but very effective, adding tension and emotion to the scenes. The lighting transitions were well timed and made each scene transition flawless.
There were clever uses of cinematography and photography, which only enhanced the live performances from the cast. Genuine historical footage such as Neville Chamberlain’s speech and Mill Road infirmary allowed the audience to really feel part of the Wright family, as if we were all neighbours’ experiencing the Liverpool Blitz. It was a perfect added touch by filming the wedding of David Wright (Dan Aynsley) and Teresa Doherty (Felicity Parry) at St Laurence’s Church, in Frodsham. The talented filming and editing skills of Dan Fox from Char Noir Productions was very well managed as each clip flowed together seamlessly.
Felicity Parry’s performance as Teresa Doherty was outstanding. Her use of emotion and commitment to the role pulled on the heart strings of the audience. Her tragic death reminded us of the devesting history of the maternity ward in Mill Road Hospital, Liverpool and how it took a devastating direct hit on 3 May, 1941.The bomb landed in the courtyard at the rear of the hospital, killing many mothers and their new-born babies.
Peter Wright (Ally Goodman) and Jessie Wright (Kat Tanczos) performed well together creating a family setting which faced adversity and hardship. The characters reading the letters within this production were staged and directed seamlessly causing me to have goosebumps in anticipation of good or bad news. The emotional performances had the hearts and minds of the audience, there was not a dry eye to be seen. Amy Wright played by Dawn Adams made a significant presence as she had the audience laughing the moment she stepped onto stage. This tough grandma had seen trying times herself and was worried history would repeat itself.
Gail Young’s writing had us begging for more by leaving us on a cliff-hanger not knowing if David Wright will return home from sea and finally meet his daughter. The cast coming together to sing at the end was a beautiful testament, showcasing how in Liverpool, you never walk alone and we stand together. The cast and production team fully deserved the sell-out performances and standing novation at the end
Reviewer - Abigail Bradbury
on - 11.11.23
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