From the November 2003 Issue of “Rye’s Own”
Words & Pictures by Jo’ Vincent
Rye Players gave an outstanding performance with their presentation
of Oh! What a Lovely War at the Thomas Peacocke over four nights at
the beginning of October. The musical satire of the Great War was
first performed by Theatre Workshops in 1963. It was later made into
a film, directed by Richard Attenborough.
There were songs, frivolity, happiness and joy, sadness and nostalgia,
all emotions were played out in the various scenes along with the
political and capitalistic aspects of the War and the play for power
that cost of millions of lives.
The projected grim reality of trench warfare were visual pictures
on a screen in the background, sounds of gunfire were superimposed
over the actors voices and smoke billowed onto the stage.
The production was fantastically played and proved a real eye-opener.
Some of the senior members of the audience sang along with the old
familiar songs and cried over the memories. Many waited at the end
for the curtain to rise – but there was no curtain, there were no
cheers or applause – only the silence of respect.
