The Accrington Pals (1985)

Poster by Poster Designer

by Peter Whelen

Directed by Pip Piacentino

Performances: Sat 16th – Sun 17th February (Sun Matinee & Evening performances) 1985, Prompt Corner

Introduction

In 1916 the British Army, running out of cannon fodder for the trenches, introduced a policy of recruitment based on enticing men into the army from the same towns. Lord Mayors were encouraged to call for volunteers from the same towns and the famous Pals regiments were formed. Accrington, a small town in Lancaster, was the smallest town in England to field a full batallion of a thousand men. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme "the Pals" were in the front line that walked towards the German trenches believing the generals' promise that it would be a pushover. Contemporary accounts say that there was not a family in Accrington that had not lost a father, son or brother. One woman lost her husband and three sons. The effect on the town was so disasterous that the government dropped the policy almost immediately.

Cast

• Tom Hackford - Leigh Smith
• May Hassal - Nikki Hogg
• Arthur Boggis - Peter Rochford
• Reggie Boggis - Dean Jenkins
• Ralph - Jonathan Lewis
• Eva Mason - Josephine Hussey
• Sarah Harding - Laura Hussey
• Betha Treecott - Alison Lees
• C.S.M. Rivers - Geoff Kenton

Crew

• Director's Personal Assistant - Delia Taitt
• Stage Manager - Iris Lenny
• Assistant Stage Managers - Sue Arnold & Lisa Barden
• Set Design - Victor Kelly
• Set Construction - David Lamkin
• Lighting - Richard Wood
• Sound Design - Mark Ahearn
• Sound Operator - Bob Marshall
• Sound Recording - Bill Peters
• Prompt - Linda White
• Wardrobe - Frances Walker
• Pianist - Lynn Jenner
• Publicity Assistant - Keith Borgust

Reviews

In World War One, we are told, the town of Accrington raised its own battalion, known as "The Accrington Pals". They were all but wiped out in the murderous Battle of the Somme.

The story inspired Peter Whelan's play of the same name. It was performed in SLTC's Prompt Corner, where every seat in the house had been snapped up in advance. Pip Piacentino's production was, like the trench warfare of the doomed men, a grey landscape intermittantly illuminated by brilliant flashes.

The domestic action tended to settle down intoa comfortable "Coronation Street" style, more gossip than grip. Yet the tensions were never far from the surface and the Cast were on the whole successful in the creation of character.

First and foremost was Nikki Hogg as therepressed May Hassal, longing to break out of the tight circle of convention but afraid to venture. A quiet and intense performance here with Liegh Smith in support as Tom Hackford, the man so nearly in her life.

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

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See Also

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References

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External Links

• This play on the web