Review: Goodnight Mister Tom by CODS at Cheltenham Playhouse

We invited local theatre enthusiast and University of Gloucestershire journalist student, Emily Redman, to review Goodnight Mister Tom on our behalf.  Unfortunately this popular production being performed by CODS (the Cheltenham Operatic & Dramatic Society) at the Cheltenham Playhouse has now fully sold out for its daily performances through to the 8 February. 

It is worth keeping this in mind for the CODS next show at the Cheltenham Playhouse and booking your tickets early folks! 

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The Brexit Day bongs of Big Ben seemed another world away on the opening night of Goodnight Mr Tom. Usually, a story based amidst the misery and gloom of the beginning of WWII would, on paper, struggle to prevail any sense of hope. But this story, adapted for theatre by David Wood, has captured the very essence of the lives of many British war children, and how evacuees may not just have survived, but thrived in their new homes.

One of these evacuees was William (Lex Recine.) He’s adorable, beautifully innocent and confused in a whirlwind of turmoil. His performance was utterly captivating: Recine is truly a brewing star.  

The relationship between Will and Mr Tom (Jason Blackburn) unfolded by virtue of a powerful script and some exceptional acting. Without saying much, they bandaged each other’s trauma and pain - generations apart but still managing to council each other through the harsh realities of life. 

The show deals with a variety of themes and issues, not exclusive to the war era, which makes the play relatable and evergreen. Director, Elizabeth Maisey, manages to keep the performance flowing in the intimate and snug setting: At Mr Tom’s rural home, London’s bomb shelters or the suffocating walls of Will’s God-fearing mother’s home’

Rather cleverly, Mr Tom’s home has been situated in the West Country - highlighting the fact that not so long ago, this was the reality of many evacuees who were forced out of their homes and onto our doorstep. 

The second act meandered a little, and there was some strange GCSE Drama-esque chanting in the second half. A bizarre interlude, but thankfully a quick one. 

Sentimentality is often sickly, but it’s necessary in this performance - even if it is an almost certain tear-jerker. Mr Tom struggles with the loss of his wife, even after 40 years, finding it almost impossible to confess where she is to William. As the two advance through the plot, Mr Tom manages to accept what happened to his beloved wife and finds a new purpose through William.

‘Caillou Caillau!’ Zach (Connor May) beams a light of energy onto the performance. He’s overbearing, teetering between annoying and amusing throughout. Yet, the audience are compelled to warm to him and his energy is mesmerising. 

The performance doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, and the fairly merry plot runs into turbulence and tragedy along the way, but the Cheltenham Operatic and Drama Society has put on a show that challenges our idea of family. We’re shown that water is often a substance much thicker than blood, and in a time where love and acceptance was so sparse, Goodnight Mr Tom gives us a stunning glimpse of hope and happiness.