The Wayland Players mark the centenary of the Great War with their November Production
“Keep the Home Fires Burning”
One hundred years ago this August saw the start of the Great War. To mark this anniversary the Wayland Players put together “Keep the Home Fires Burning” an evening of drama, poetry and music to commemorate this important event.
Two one–act plays gave the audience an insight into life as it was on the western front as well as here on the home front.
The first play ‘Hero’ is written by Michael Lynch was set in a British Army Casualty make-shift hospital. The Doctor and nurses are faced with an unusual decision, regarding a Private Underwood.
In the second play, ‘Grandma’s Photograph’ by Alan Marshall we visit a photography studio where every year the Pye family, like many other families, have a photograph taken in a studio. In 1914 John Pye, the son of the family, has volunteered to fight in France and he has just been issued with his uniform. This continues for the next two years but what is discovered is that the war has imprisoned some, liberated others… nothing will ever be the same again…
The evening also featured the full cast performing poetry and the reading of letters sent by soldiers and their families; it will conclude with music from the period.
Wendy Collins and June Kay, Co-Directors (pictured right) said “The Players felt it was important to mark the 100 year anniversary of the start of the Great War and we are proud of the hard work of the cast and crew in this production"
The evening raised £100 for the Royal British legion Poppy Appeal.
