The Winslow Boy
By Terence Rattigan
Synopsis:
“An injustice has been done. I am going to set it right, and there is no sacrifice in the world I am not prepared to make in order to do so.”
(Arthur Winslow)
It is 1912, The Great War is only two years away, and the might and authority of the British Royal Navy seems unquestionable. But when a 14 year old cadet, Ronnie Winslow, is dismissed from the Service for theft, his family resolve to challenge his sentence and prove his innocence. What follows is a seemingly hopeless battle with the government of the time. Arthur Winslow resolves to “let right be done” and secure a pardon for his son, whatever the cost. It is a battle that will test the strength and loyalty of Arthur Winslow’s family and friends and overturn the very foundations of the state’s right to govern unchallenged.
Based on the true-life story of the Archer-Shee family, The Winslow Boy throws a revealing spotlight on the early 20th Century struggles in this country for individual freedom and portrays an era characterised by the repressed manners of a dying aristocracy. Rattigan’s pacifism and his often-overlooked socialist sympathies inform this challenging play, and with his much admired command of the dramatic form, he layers a gripping story with pathos, tension and a very British understated humour.
In this beautifully crafted story, the Next Stage cast is headed by Tim Evans, fresh from his tour de force as Rooster Byron in the company’s recent production of Jerusalem, and features Ben Armstrong as Ronnie Winslow.
Set in the round, The Winslow Boy offers a passionate, tense and gripping portrait of a nation and family in turmoil with itself.
With grateful thanks to this show's Angels
For an extra pound, reserve your seat: call 01225 428600
Enjoy a delicious meal before the show in The Green Room
The Mission Theatre’s vegetarian and vegan Bistro is open from 6pm every night with a full range of mouth-watering soups, salads, hot dishes and desserts - the menu will be available on www.missiontheatre.co.uk in the week of the show.
Please call 01225 428600 in advance to book your table.
Director/s | Cast:
Tim West
Director
David Gosling
Arthur Winslow
Kay Francksen
Grace Winslow
Tom Ash-Miles
Dickie Winslow
Yvonne Paulley
Catherine Winslow
Ben Armstrong
Ronnie Winslow
Tim Evans
Sir Robert Morton
Jane Lawson
Violet
Lydia Cook
Miss Barnes
Tim West
John Watherstone
Richard Matthews
Desmond Curry
Review/s of The Winslow Boy:
Review 1: Bath Chronicle Review
The opening night of The Winslow Boy was a triumph for the company with excellent performances from a cast that breathed new life into an Edwardian court case. Terence Rattigan's play is based on the true story of a naval cadet's fight to clear his name after being accused of theft in a case that to this day remains famous in English law. Far from being a dry and dusty legal drama Rattigan's wry examination…click here to read the whole review.
By Jackie Chappell, Bath Chronicle
Review 2: Rattigan’s script bursts with social wit and cynicism
This timeless classic by Terence Rattigan based on the true story of George Archer – Shee, a naval cadet is no doubt well known amongst avid theatre goers. It was a ground breaking case whereby an individual won the right for a citizen to challenge the Crown and sue for damages in an open court and in this dramatisation the focus is on the human cost of such an exercise in Edwardian Britain. Bound…click here to read the whole review.
