BOX OFFICE:

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The Barn Theatre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
FROM THE BARN THEATRE ARCHIVE

Goodnight Mr Tom

By Michelle Magorian & David Wood
Directed by Siobhán Hill Elam
Assistant Director Christopher Wallace
12th – 30th December 2021 at 7.30pm
Matinees on 12th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 27th and 28th at 2:30pm

A tale of two broken souls that celebrates the value of love and proves that friendship knows no bounds.

Winner of the 2013 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment.

4/5

If you’d prefer to attend a performance with a more socially distanced audience, we will be selling our evening performance on Wednesday 15th December to a maximum of half capacity. At this performance we’ll ensure households are seated separately in the auditorium.

This wonderful play is for all the family and although it touches on adult themes it does so to highlight the healing powers of love and hope.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd.

Tom Oakley is a widowed, childless recluse in his sixties, living in a beautiful West Country village. As World War two looms, he is visited by the evacuee billeting officer who entrusts him with the care of a ten-year-old boy from south London, named William Beech. Tom is not an obvious choice for this role, but he lives beside the village church which, for William’s mother, was a condition of allowing her son to be evacuated. William is extremely withdrawn and nervous and it soon becomes clear to Tom that the boy has been neglected and abused at home. Tom, although apparently grumpy on the surface, has an extremely kind nature. He sets out to rehabilitate William and give him the sort of care he has never previously experienced.

As a result, William flourishes. His wounds, both physical and emotional, heal, he makes friends and settles into life in the village. The idyll is interrupted, however, when William receives a summons from his mother to return to London. Reluctantly, Tom sees him off at the railway station, worried sick at the idea of the child returning to the city during the London blitz. When, after a few weeks, he has had no response to his letters to William, Tom goes to London to check on his welfare. What he finds in the boy’s Deptford home is horrifying. Tom rescues William, who is forced to spend some time in hospital. There then follows a struggle with the authorities as Tom tries to convince them of what he believes to be the best for the boy’s future recovery. He believes that what William needs is not psychiatric treatment but simply love.

The story beautifully illustrates the healing power of love, not just in the receiving, but in the giving.

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM

Directed by
Siobhán Hill Elam
Assistant Director
Christopher Wallace

CAST

Tom Oakley
Zach Wrench
Mrs Beech/ Mrs Hartridge
Billeting Officer/Miss Thorne
George Fletcher
Charlie Ruddles/Mr Stelton/Policeman/Vicar
David Hartridge
London ARP Warden
Dr Little/Mr Miller/Ticket Collector

CREATIVE TEAM

Production Manager
Assistant Production Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Set Dressing
Set Construction
Choreography
Rehearsal Prompt
Press Relations
Production Photography
Poster & Programme

The role of George Fletcher is understudied by Seoire Hill.
On 19th December the role of Mrs Fletcher will be played by Órla Kennedy and the roles Gladys/Social Worker will be played by Hazel Halliday.
On 24th and 27th December, the role of Nurse will be played by Órla Kennedy and Mrs Miller will be played by Siobhán Hill Elam.

Production PHOTOS

(Click image to enlarge)

MEDIA & REVIEWS​

Winner of the 2013 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment.

4/5

One of the most uplifting stories ever written…a tale of two broken souls at very different ends of the age scale that celebrates the value of love and proves that friendship knows no barriers.

If it’s just not Christmas till you’ve blubbed into your reindeer jumper sleeve at a tear-jerking family show, Goodnight Mister Tom should sort you out.

DON'T FORGET, COMING UP AT THE BARN SOON

Opening 18th April
Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart

 

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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement

At the Barn we are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination in all its forms. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the cast and creative team, regardless of their race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment.

Part 1, 18th Jan 8pm

Part 2, 19th Jan 8pm

Parts 1+2 20th Jan 2.30pm

Part 1, 23rd Jan 8pm

Part 2, 24th Jan 8pm

Part 1, 25th Jan 8pm

Part 2, 26th Jan 8pm

Part 1, 27th Jan 2.30pm

Part 2,  27th Jan 8pm