Ad not shown

Goodnight Mister Tom

4
David Wood's stage adaptation of the classic children's book
By Becky - 20th Jan 2016

Review of Goodnight Mister Tom

A staged version of the classic children's novel by Michelle Magorian; Goodnight Mister Tom is every bit as heartwarming and heartbreaking as fans of the book (or film) might expect. The show tells the tale of William Beech, an evacuee from London who is sent to live in a remote Dorset village with Tom Oakley; a cantankerous elderly man who keeps himself to himself. Slowly but surely, each brings out the best in each other, and 'Mister Tom' as William calls him, shows himself to be a kind, caring and sensitive man who loves William like he was his own son.

Clearly having come from an abusive background, William takes time to come out of his shell, but gradually his confidence builds and he begins to learn how to read and write and he even makes friends with three village children and also with Zach, a fellow evacuee. Everything changes when William's mother asks for him to return to London, and we discover that she lives in squalor and is clearly mentally ill. She has had another baby, only she's taped her mouth shut to keep her from crying, saying she only cries for attention. She accuses William of lying when he says he has friends, and beats him. Back in Dorset, Mister Tom is worrying more and more, and so sets off for London with his dog, Sammy. They find the house, and after a policeman breaks down the door they discover William tied up under the stairs, clutching the dead baby to his chest. Mister Tom then fights to have William come home with him, and ultimately, the show ends on a happy note tinged with sadness.

As Mister Tom, David Troughton frequently moved me to tears with his subtle, understated performance. He perfectly captured the essence of an elderly gentleman having his life turned upside down and struggling to cope with new emotions. The supporting cast served him well in this, and special mention must go to Melle Stewart who takes on the role of Annie Hartridge; William's kindly and beloved schoolteacher and also the harrowing role of Mrs Beech, William's Mother. Her performance was gripping, making the audience pity yet loathe her in equal measure. The difference between her two roles was startling, but she carried it off without a hitch. Elisa De Grey, the puppeteer tasked with bringing Sammy to life, was superb. She acted and felt every moment, resulting in a lively Border Collie brought to life who added great humour and spirit to the play.

The children (Alex Taylor-McDowall and Oliver Loades) as William and Zach were also strong, though it seemed an odd choice to then have adult actors playing the roles of their village friends. Clark Delvin, in particular, looked completely out of place as George. Had all the child roles been filled with adults, I'd have understood it, but with two strong child leads, why not back it up with three more children to make a lively gang of youngsters all getting to know one another?

The set was well thought out, especially the use of the rising stage to make William's rundown London house. Enhancing the doom and gloom of war-torn London were excellent sound effects including a chilling air raid siren and a train whistle that pierced the soul.

All in all, Goodnight Mister Tom is a wonderful production; educational, thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. We laughed, we cried (a lot) and ultimately, my ten year old daughter left the theatre with a much more solemn understanding of how war affected people's lives.

Becky Fuller


Latest News & Reviews

30th Oct 24 :: Review: Black is the Color of My Voice
Touring production seen in Worthing
5
29th Oct 24 :: Review: The Creakers
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to London Christmas run.
4
24th Oct 24 :: RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award Scheme
The winner has been announced
23rd Oct 24 :: Review: The Flea
A flea bite sparks a royal scandal in this razor-sharp exploration of power, desire, and Victorian hypocrisy.
5
22nd Oct 24 :: UKTW Looking for new partners
UKTW is looking for new relationships now that the near 30 year listings supply contract with Whatsonstage is coming to an end.
21st Oct 24 :: UK Theatre Awards
The Winners have been Announced.
19th Oct 24 :: Review: The Commotion Time
Seen at the Exeter Northcott Theatre
5
18th Oct 24 :: Review: Tattooer
Seen at the Charing Cross Theatre.
3
18th Oct 24 :: Review: Rigoletto
Verdi's opera by the Welsh National Opera seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
14th Oct 24 :: Touring Strictly Stars
See the professionals on tour
14th Oct 24 :: Turbine to Close
The Turbine Theatre is to close in December
11th Oct 24 :: Review: La Fille Mal Gardee
Birmingham Royal Ballet tour seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
9th Oct 24 :: The Box Five Club
The new dedicated home for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals.
3rd Oct 24 :: Review: One Small Step
Seen at the Charing Cross Theatre
2
1st Oct 24 :: Review: & Juliet
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
5
25th Sep 24 :: Review: Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie's murder mystery - touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
18th Sep 24 :: Review: The History Boys
20th Anniversary tour seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
16th Sep 24 :: Review: The Story of My Life
Seen at the Stage Door Theatre in London
4
21st Aug 24 :: Review: Best of Burlesque
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Assembly Rooms - Bijou
3
21st Aug 24 :: Review: The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Summerhall
5

Most Popular Stories

Viewings over the last 14 days
 
The Commotion Time
Seen at the Exeter Northcott Theatre
Posted 19th Oct 24 :: 214 views
The Creakers
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to London Christmas run.
Posted 29th Oct 24 :: 154 views
The Flea
A flea bite sparks a royal scandal in this razor-sharp exploration of power, desire, and Victorian hypocrisy.
Posted 23rd Oct 24 :: 141 views
Rigoletto
Verdi's opera by the Welsh National Opera seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 18th Oct 24 :: 136 views
Tattooer
Seen at the Charing Cross Theatre.
Posted 18th Oct 24 :: 130 views
UK Theatre Awards
The Winners have been Announced.
Posted 21st Oct 24 :: 114 views
Black is the Color of My Voice
Touring production seen in Worthing
Posted 30th Oct 24 :: 113 views
UKTW Looking for new partners
UKTW is looking for new relationships now that the near 30 year listings supply contract with Whatsonstage is coming to an end.
Posted 22nd Oct 24 :: 107 views
The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Summerhall
Posted 21st Aug 24 :: 101 views
Touring Strictly Stars
See the professionals on tour
Posted 14th Oct 24 :: 97 views
RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award Scheme
The winner has been announced
Posted 24th Oct 24 :: 96 views
La Fille Mal Gardee
Birmingham Royal Ballet tour seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 11th Oct 24 :: 89 views
The Box Five Club
The new dedicated home for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals.
Posted 9th Oct 24 :: 58 views
The Grim
Seen at The Edinburgh Fringe, Underbelly Bristo Square
Posted 19th Aug 24 :: 57 views
One Small Step
Seen at the Charing Cross Theatre
Posted 3rd Oct 24 :: 55 views
Is the WIFI Good in Hell?
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Underbelly Cowgate
Posted 20th Aug 24 :: 50 views
Turbine to Close
The Turbine Theatre is to close in December
Posted 14th Oct 24 :: 49 views
Moscow Love Story
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Pleasance Courtyard
Posted 18th Aug 24 :: 49 views
The Story of My Life
Seen at the Stage Door Theatre in London
Posted 16th Sep 24 :: 48 views
& Juliet
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 1st Oct 24 :: 44 views

Ad not shown


Mastodon X - Twitter © Dynamic Listing Ltd, UK. 1995-2024