DENNIS Potter’s memorable drama has adult actors playing seven-year-olds roaming the Gloucestershire countryside in 1943, squabbling, joking and occasionally giving way to the terror inspired by the war going on around them.
Director Kay Baker’s cast creates believable kids, mostly endearing, but horrid at times. Paul Warne is particularly effective as Willie – a boy who never misses an opportunity to stir things up – and David Humphries is excellent as Peter, the bully.
These two have the audience hanging on their every word and exclaiming aloud at some new piece of childishness, and the rest of the cast all have their moments.
The pace is sometimes slowed by an overuse of blackouts to indicate a change of scene. However, other aspects of the staging work brilliantly, particularly when the children jump off stage and run around the aisles, and the daringly staged barn fire.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here