Chester’s Theatre in the Quarter prepares for Home For Christmas tour

Nov 26 2009 Chester Chronicle

Seeing a red glow in the sky as Liverpool docks burnt. Police cycling around outlying farms to check the blackout was in force.

Military tents on Chester racecourse. Bombs targeting the gas works but hitting Crane Street. Welfare officials knocking on doors to find homes for evacuated children.

These and many more wartime stories come to life in Home for Christmas, this year's production by Chester's splendid Theatre in the Quarter Company, at the city's Forum Theatre next Tuesday and Wednesday (December 1 and 2) then touring city and rural venues to December 20.

It follows last year's sell-out production Silent Night and, with the same writer and director, plus professional cast and local choirs, it promises again a night of music, laughter, songs, pathos – simply great theatre.

Director Russ Tunney, remembered still for his Gateway Theatre work, said: “It's a fantastic, innovative musical play all about the memories of local people of those difficult years of the Second World War.

“It must be frustrating as Chester struggles to create a cultural future and I think it's wonderful that this company is keeping professional theatre alive in the city.”

Writer, Helen Newall, has painstakingly collected wartime stories which run the range of sad, frightened, heartwarming, tragic, comic, and brought them to life through the creation of a radio station on stage (regional radio was closed down in the war, but, hey, this is theatre!)

The people of Chester keep their spirits going by broadcasting stories, songs, ration-beating recipes even, with a bit more theatrical licence, dance. And all the time the lives of the four radio presenters unravel with fascinating results.

Said Newall: “Their stories lie at the heart of the play, and the audience is invited to be part of it all. But I don't want to give too much away!

“We had lovely reminiscences, tales of the child evacuees, of gravy browning in the Christmas cake, of people rearing rabbits for food then refusing to eat their “pets”!

“We heard of horrifying experiences. Three months of nightly bombing of Liverpool docks had huge impact on the region. It speaks volumes for people's bravery and fortitude that they carried on and kept their spirits up.”

The professional cast includes Tom Latham, who was in Silent Night, Mike Magnet, last in Chester 10 years ago for Girls Night Out at the Gateway, Emma Higgins and Roanna Cochrane, who have both been working in shows all over the country.

Supporting them is a large community choir whose members have been busy rehearsing – and who are thrilled to be appearing on stage in authentic 1940s costumes.

Special stars this year will be children from three local schools, Thomas of Canterbury Junior, Dee Point and The Arches, making cameo appearances as evacuees from Liverpool, singing songs from the period.

Matt Baker, of Chester Mystery Plays fame, is composer and artistic director for Theatre in the Quarter, Chester's leading professional company, with a reputation for commissioning unique, original musical productions drawing on local talent.

He said: 'We all know times are hard, so it's fantastic that we have had support from the Arts Council and from Cheshire West and Chester Council to bring this professional show to Chester and take it into neighbouring communities.

“Last year's tour completely sold out and we were turning people away at the door every night. We are touring to more venues this year.”