Keep Calm & Carry On was a two Act show to celebrate VE Day 80
Devised by Steve Burton and Jackie Bingham with musical accompaniment by our musical director Adam Kellingray-Williamson, Loddon Players delivered an evening of celebration, remembrance and happy reflections in this VE Day 80 Variety Show!
From Chamberlains declaration of War to Churchill’s announcement of victory, the audience were taken on a journey through the mediums of drama, song, sketches, poetry, and more.
We paid our respects to those who fought, those who died and those who stayed behind. To the evacuated children, to those sheltering during the Blitz and so much more.
Act One – “Air Raid” – by Liz Dobson
The play opened following Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s announcement that Britain was at war with Germany.
Set in a community air raid shelter in the east end of London during the Blitz. This is about ordinary people living in extra-ordinary times as they wait for the “all clear” to sound.
The Cast (by Appearance)
Jimmy Duggan – Shane Baxter
Betty Jackson – Vicki McDicken
Charlie Miller – David Bingham
June Topham – Jody-Michelle Chapman
Ada Cooper – Linda Skepelhorn
Violet Jackson – Gemma Buskell
During the play, the action was frozen to hear two poems
“The Warden” by Ether Latham
“The Evacuee” by Arthur E King
Read by Alastair Skepelhorn
It was very well received by the packed audience which we are delighted to say, included the author Liz Dobson.
Act Two
A variety show of readings, songs and sketches
Beginning with Churchill’s stirring “Fight them on the Beaches” speech – a call to arms to a nation grimly determined following the “miracle” of Dunkirk.
Poems and and other readings were read by David Bingham, Linda Skepelhorn, Peter Samain, Jackie Bingham, Dawn Cartwright and Vicki McDicken
During the Act there were two sketches
Four POWs – a comedy featuring
Peter Samain,
Jackie Bingham
Alastair Skepelhorn
David Bingham
ITMA (inc Workers Playtime) – based on the two Wartime BBC radio favourites featuring
Peter Samain
Alastair Skepelhorn
Dawn Cartwright
Jackie Bingham
David Bingham
Linda Skepelhorn.
Songs were woven through the second Act.
Jody-Michelle Chapman sang a wonderful interpretation of the wartime classic – White Cliffs of Dover
David Bingham and Peter Samain sang a song made famous by Arthur Askey – Kiss Me Good Night Sergeant Major and the Flanagan and Allen staples – Run Rabbit Run and Underneath the Arches.
Gemma Buskell gave a lovely version of the Vera Lynn classic – A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square.
The trio of Jody-Michelle Chapman, Vicki McDicken and Gemma Buskell – donned US Army garb to give us a brilliant rendition of The Andrews Sisters medley of Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Chattanooga Choo Choo, and Boogie Woogie Buggle Boy!
Our second trio – Linda Skepelhorn, Jackie Bingham and Dawn Cartwright raised the roof in Gracie Fields fashion with her songs “Thingamy Bob” and “Wish me Luck”.
Singing a delightful, emotional version of the Golden Treasury poem “Crossing the Bar”, was our wonderful musical director Adam Kellingray-Williamson – who accompanied by Gemma Buskell, Jody-Michelle Chapman and Jackie Bingham, left no dry eye in the hall.
Finally a medley of community songs – finishing with We’ll Meet Again!
Here are some comments from the audience:
What a wonderful show. Filled with sadness, laughter, beauty and poignant moments.
One piece moved me to genuine tears. Well done everyone.
