DAVID Wood’s Goodnight Mister Tom is a poignant piece and offers not only a touch of nostalgia, but a sense of reality for the people of the time whose lives were turned upside down as children were evacuated from the cities to rural towns.

Director Andrew Close, who has paid attention to detail describes the story as uplifting and he is bang on as we are given an insight into how, in times of austerity and uncertainty communities pull together to make the best out of life.

As Tom Oakley, an almost unlikely candidate takes in his evacuee you can see before your eyes how his life is changed for the better as he goes all out to do the best for the lad.

Andrew Gradwell is perfect in this role and manages to deliver a range of emotions with ease as takes the boy under his wing resulting in some eye watering moments.

Young performer Joshua Parker is excellent as William Beech, the evacuee taken in by Mr Tom. His naive demeanour is just right as we see him develop into a confident young man. The scenes with his new born baby sister were particularly moving. Complimenting this performance, Adam Grealish was an effervescent Zach, whose confidence oozed in both character and performance. His demise was a shock, but allowed some great acting moments from Adam and Joshua.

It was great to see younger members of FLT taking to the stage. Grace Greenhalgh blossomed as Georgie, the bully- come friend who put her all in every scene she played, along with Tierney Gettins and Emily Flitcroft who both shone and gave more than credible performances.

A stand out performance was given by Janet Leather who provided a subtle touch as a member of the parish to a formidable, feisty and somewhat neglectful mother as Mrs Beech. This was well executed and showed characterisation at all levels and she really made us believe she was the epitome of a bad mother and all round bad person as she lived her life for her, and her only.

Several cameo performances from the cast contributed well including Mark Leigh, Daisy Leather, Carol Butler, Rebecca Higgin, David Eyre, Stephen Knowles and Seamus Graeme.

Last but certainly not least was Sammy the dog. Puppeteered by Catherine Cropper, this was believable from start to finish. Catherine did this really well and after a while you didn’t realise she was there as the dog moved so naturally with visual and audible effect.

A good all round production with a simple but extremely effective set that was well utilised for all scenes. Costumes were to the usual high standard in keeping with the period. Yet another great production by FLT and particularly fitting in this centenary year of the end of one of the worlds conflicts.

Paul Cohen

BATS