Carrie’s War
by Nina Bawden, adapted for the stage by Emma Reeves
Synopsis
Young Carrie Willow’s life changes dramatically when during the Second World War she and her brother Nick are evacuated from their home to escape the bombing in London. The pair are whisked off to a small town in North Wales where they are allocated to the home of bullying, manipulative shop owner Mr. Evans and his kind hearted sister Auntie Lou. The children make friends with Albert Sandwich, a fellow evacuee, who is staying with Mr. Evans’ sister, Mrs Gotobed, and her housekeeper Hepzibah Green. Hepzibah brings a touch of magic through enchanting tales of ancient legends and curses but this leads to Mr. Evans to claim that she is a witch. The children also befriend Mr. Johnny who has cerebral palsy and is a distance cousin of Mrs. Gotobed. When tragedy befalls her friends, Carrie sets about helping Mr. Johnny and Hepzibah to save their home.
Cast & Crew
Cast
Adult Carrie Willow – Isabelle Boorman
Carrie’s Son – Will Roberts
Young Carrie Willow – Sophie Moss
Albert Sandwich – Teddy Stevenson
Mrs Fazackerly – Daisy Morris
Billy – Alex MacTavish
Nick Willow – Arlo Copp
Mrs Rhys – Lauren Kite
Mrs Davies – Erin Wiercx
Mrs Owen – Katie Belok
Hepzibah Green – Katie Bartholomew
Auntie Lou – Fern Simmons
Mr Evans – Barnaby Stott
Mr Johnny – Elliott Myers
Mrs Gotobed – Megan Saunders
Major Cass Harper – Will Roberts
Frederick – Sam Bartholomew
Evacuees – Daniel Coldron, Eleanor D’Alessandro, Emily Hesketh, Philip Langham, Alex MacTavish, Ellie Murray, Jessica Murray, Tom Muscio, Elena Vinall, Madelaine Tull
Crew
Director – June Brown
Review
It could be quite forgotten that the actors in Carrie’s War were just youngsters, so strong were their performances at the Barn Theatre recently.
But as members of the Young Oxted Players, perhaps it is only to be expected, as the Oxted Players themselves are one of the best amateur theatrical companies around.
Carrie’s War tells the story of Carrie and her brother Nick, whose lives change dramatically when they are evacuated to North Wales during the Second World War.
There they meet the rather unpleasant and narrow-minded Mr Evans and his sister Auntie Lou along with many other characters, who inhabit this small town.
Sophie Moss was excellent as the young Carrie and Arlo Copp suitably naughty as her wayward brother Nick.
Barnaby Stott captured the essence of bullying shop owner Mr Evans, while Fern Simmons put in a creditable performance as the soft-hearted Auntie Lou.
Other actors of particular note included Teddy Stevenson as Albert Sandwich, another evacuee the children befriend, who is staying with Mr Evans’ sister Mrs Gotobed(Megan Saunders), and Katie Bartholomew as Hepzibah Green.
But the stand out performance of the night must go to Elliott Myers for his portrayal of Mr Johnny, who suffers from cerebral palsy. It was a hard part to play but Elliott managed it with consummate ease.
Congratulations must also go to the set designers and builders for their imaginative use of the stage. SS