THE ACCRINGTON PALS
Directed by Sean Duxbury

CAST

Tom Hackford - Andrew Kidd
Mayhassal - Joanne Cunliffe
Arthur Boggis - David Hodson-Maughan
Reggie Boggis - Adam Lea
Ralph - Alan Levesley
Eva Mason - Cassandra Moon
Sarah Harding - Zoe Duffin
Bertha Treecott - Emma O'Toole
Annie Boggis - Jess Taylor
C.S.M. Rivers - Barry Callander
Accrington Pal - Chris Kershaw


Peter Whelan's absorbing play is set in Accrington during 1914-16, and focuses on the local volunteer battalion of men who leave to fight in the Great War and the impact that it has on their wives at home. Moving, thought-provoking and often very funny, 'The Accrington Pals' paints a very human picture of civilian life during wartime.


NODA review by Colin Magenty

This local piece of history makes for a strong piece of drama with some lovely light moments. The play was well costumed and we had some extremely good scenes, the main problem is that there are so many scenes that it is its main weakness, you loose the impact built up while the scenes are changed.
My main criticism of this production lies in the house scene, were you have the table up centre square on to the audience, so we had people sitting at the side and talking up stage, and we lost their faces and their voices unfortunately. Having said that we had some well-defined characters, Joanne Cunliffe for one who's May Hassal was a strong portrayal of this hardened woman who found it difficult to express her feelings and wanted people to be something other than they were. I very much enjoyed Andrew Kidd's performance too as Tom a well rounded performance this, Arthur Boggis played sympathetically by David Hodson - Maughan was another. Barry Callander as C.S.M. Rivers, this was one of the best I have seen from this actor. Ralph played by Alan Livesley and his young lady Eva played by the talented Cassandra Moon both came across well.
I enjoyed the attack of Jess Taylor who gave memorable performance as Annie and a special mention for her son Reggie played well by Adam Lea. They were well supported by Zoe Duffin as Sarah and Emma O'Toole as Bertha. Another entertaining night at Chorley, my thanks to all.