The Brylcreem Boys (2008)

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The Brylcreem Boys by Peter Durrant

Directed by Jenny Gammon

Performances of this Amateur Production will be on: Tuesday 19th - Saturday 23rd August 2008, Prompt Corner

Introduction

Not to be confused with the 1998 movie of the same name, this is about true events which happened to the playwright’s father when entering a RAF hospital ward in 1944. Young pilots of Lancaster aircraft, drawn from all over the Commonwealth, were recovering from a bombing mission and they relived their experiences in dramatic re-enactments. With both humorous and deeply touching moments, this drama brings the terror of flying on a bombing raid into enemy territory graphically to life on stage. Little do the ‘Boys’ know they are always under the watchful eye of the Ward Sister.

Cast

George – Leading Aircraftsman/Ground Sentry – British (a true footsoldier thrown into the mix. Originally played by David Threlfall)

Bruce – Engineer – Australian (a very knowledgeable and practical member of the team – sometimes older 25s? with family?)

Breeding – Navigator – British (key man, nimble, adaptable mind, knows aircraft position at any given time despite inaccurate weather reports and enemy action)

Buzz – Mid-upper gunner – Canadian (both gunners are real specialists. Vigilant and capable of detachment, in the most vulnerable positions of the craft, these men were often wrongly perceived as less intelligent)

Shorty – Rear gunner – British (young working class, seems really confident and ‘been on ops' with Skip before - formerly played by Tim Spall)

Sven – Bomb aimer – Norwegian (sensitive, good vision, often trained as pilots themselves- capable of taking charge of all bombing, aiming instructions back to pilot)

Skipper – Pilot – British (extremely confident in leadership of his crew and complex flying of the machine)

Sister - Nurse – British (brisk, efficient & needs to keep control of these boys. Capable of deep compassion. NB: must be able to sing a verse of a Vera Lynn song at the start of show .Just sing something at auditions – doesn’t matter what.)

(Vocal coaching for singing and help with any accents for the Boys can be arranged later if required)

Sarge – RAF regiment – British (a small role which will be played by the acting ASM).

Crew

• Stage Manager - Graham Clements
• Assistant Stage Managers - Neil Carmichael
• Lighting Design - Induja Bandara
• Technical Effects - Neil Carmichael

Reviews

Some review quotes go here

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.

References

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