My Boy Jack

March 25, 2014 to March 29, 2014

By David Haig

Directed by Suzi Illston

My Boy Jack is a 1997 play by english actor David Haig. It tells the story of Rudyard Kipling and his grief for his son, John, who died in the First World War. The title comes from Kipling's 1915 poem, My Boy Jack.

 “My Boy Jack” is a powerful and moving account of the anguish at the heart of a man whose storytelling continues to delight millions all over the world.

The year is 1913 and war with Germany is imminent.  Rudyard Kipling’s determination to send his myopic son to war triggers a bitter family conflict which leaves Britain’s renowned patriot devastated by the warring of his own greatest passions: his love for children – above all, his own – and his devotion to King and Country.

Cast

Rudyard Kipling ....................................... Martin Illston
Carrie Kipling .......................................... ....Sue Orme
John "Jack" Kipling ................................... Jack Eccles
Elsie "Bird" Kipling ....................................... Amy Law
Guardsman Bowe ......................................... Rick Law
Guardsman McHugh ............................... Simon Paget
Guardsman Doyle ................................ Rob Hodkinson
Mr Frankland ........................................... Chris Davies
Major Sparks .......................................... Mike Asprey
Colonel Rory Pottle ................................ Mark Pardner

 
For The Marlowe Players
 
Stage Manager ...................................... Paul Makinson
Properties .. Jenny Cooper, Linda Cheshire, Janet Townes
Costumes ........................................... Marjorie Howarth
Continuity ................................................ Wendy Beric
Set Design ............................ Suzi Illston, Steve Cooper
Set Build ................................ Vince Morris, Rob Nelson
Lighting ................................................... Steve Cooper
Sound .............................. Steve Cooper, Stuart Mourton
Front of House ................ Niamh Mourton, Claire Stewart

 

Review

 Author: Keith Scott-Savage

 A poignant, harrowing at times, and moving portrayal of this WW1 story, telling of Rudyard Kipling`s blind patriotism and belief in Empire, and his desire for his son Jack to enrol into the army to fight for his country, despite him being underage and with poor eyesight. This production held your attention throughout. Superb characterization from the whole cast, and great credit must go to Suzi Illston for her direction of this very challenging subject.

 A commanding performance by Martin Illston as Rudyard Kipling, bringing out the` blinkered upper class colonial` attitude to the full, probably the best performance I`ve seen by Martin. Equally, Jack Eccles as his son John ("Jack") Kipling gave an excellent interpretation of a shy self-conscious youth who enlists to escape the suffocation of his home life, only to endure the ravages of the trenches and to pay the ultimate sacrifice. His acting with his father was top drawer.

 The scene at the Western Front, before going over the top, between Jack and Rick Law as Guardsman Bowe, Simon Paget as Guardsman McHugh and Rob Hodkinson, s Guardsman Doyle, will be remembered for a long time. Another one of the many moving sections of the play was the scene with Guardsman Bowe, who, suffering the trauma of being shell-shocked, described the horrendous picture of trench warfare, and how Jack Kipling met his end. A brilliant, touching portrayal.

 There were also excellent supporting roles from Sue Orme as Carrie Kipling, and Amy Law as Elsie ("Bird") Kipling, who valiantly tried to question her father`s attitudes. The impressive cast was completed by Mike Asprey as Major Sparks, Mark Pardner as Col. Rory Pottle, and Chris Davies as Mr Frankland.

 All in all a most memorable production that will take some beating.