Jenny GThose Brylcrrem Boys again
and here’s some of the cast taken out of rehearsals and stood up against a wall to have their portraits taken.
http://www.zen142201.zen.co.uk/Brylcreem_Boys/album/
Jenny GThe Brylcreem boys are standing by for take off
August 19-23rd – 7.30pm South London Theatre 2a Norwood High Street, London SE27 9NS. Box Office: 02 8670 3474
In 1983 I was called in to The Young Vic to understudy the Nurse in The Brylcreem Boys* by Peter Durrant. (*Not to be confused with the later and different film of that name). Adapted from his 1979 BBC drama with young Tim Spall and David Threlfall in the cast, it has only been performed a couple of times since. This impressive play was never published so I had no script available – I learnt my lines from the Stage Manager’s copy!
When I decided this would be a good show for Prompt Corner at SLT, the hunt began for several months: searching the internet; all agents; the British Library; The Aviation Forum; various war museums as well as actors who had been in the production and trying to track down the author himself.
Bingo. Peter Durrant had adapted the play yet again for a one act festival and it won an award.
Based on his father’s true experiences in WWII, the story is about a young sentry, suffering with frostbite, who is taken to an RAF hospital. The other young men in the ward are all Lancaster bomber crew suffering from shell shock after the raid on Nuremburg. During the night when a ‘bomber moon’ shines through the window, they get up and with the use of chairs and beds, they recreate the entire plane and relive their last mission in graphic detail. As you need 7 men for a Lancaster, they coerce the sentry to join them to make up the numbers. The result is both funny and horrific and I still can’t watch the original without laughing and crying.
Please come and visit us if you can.
Tickets can be booked as a guest member. No online booking available yet but SLT do have credit card facilities There is one interval between this play and the other one ‘Be my Baby’ by Amanda Whittington, directed by my friend Mark Ireson.
Look forward to seeing you if you can make it.
Jenny GPRODUCTION: THE BRYLCREEM BOYS
I’m very happy to announce that Peter Durrant’s play (full format version) has been chosen for 2008. Showing in Prompt Theatre (the studio) and part of a double bill in August at South London Theatre Co, 2a Norwood High Street, London SE27 9NS. Usually runs in the 3rd week of August. As director I will let you all know exact dates when our all details are up on the web and I do hope some of you may come and see it. I’ll clear one of the flat roofs for landing of light aircraft and helicopters, of course!
In the meantime, I understand Peter has been approached for his one act version of the play to be submitted for another festival around March next year. Suddenly it’s all happening. Many thanks to all who have kept this thread alive and offered suggestions and encouragement.
Jenny GLancaster in Lincolnshire
That’s the one!
Jenny GCD-ROM for the Brylcreem Boys
There is a CD-ROM available showing the interior of the Lancaster so you can take a virtual journey through the fuselage. It is usually advertised in the historic aviation magazines like “Flypast”.
Thankyou. Might get that A very good idea.. I am seeing Peter Durrant tomorrow who has lots of diagrams and pictures too. I’ve also found a friend of a friend who has access to a Lancaster (believe it or not) and can take you through a proper tour inside. Rumour has it you can taxi it up and down but not take off! Still more to be revealed. The deadline has finished for South London Theatre now for all plays to be submitted so we should have the results as to when, if and how this will go on in 2008 season. Will keep you posted a.s.a.p.
Jenny GThe Brylcreem Boys
This is just to keep you up to date in case you might think we’ve dropped off the planet on this production. I am still awaiting news from South London Theatre as to whether The Brylcreem Boys will be included for 2008 season. The deadline is July 31st but they can’t let anyone know until August. It’s always the way with their 22 plays per year to plan but it seems like forever when you’re waiting for news on your own special project.
Meantime I’ve been doing research and have luckily come across another SLT member who worked in Hendon as an assistant curator who will gleefully show cast and interested people all around the Lancaster again and she now works for Imperial War Museum where they have some fuselage for inspection. Her speciality is Bomber Command and for a woman so young I am really impressed. I’ve downloaded lots of pictures of the Lancasters for both outside and inside shots .
Contrary to previous comments on this forum, I found Len Deighton’s ‘ Bomber’ actually quite informative probably because I’m a novice but I don’t suppose I would have chosen it for bedtime reading otherwise. I’m now on my husband’s copy of The Dam Busters and have the video. What I’m after is that the actors should be absolutely correct in their miming in the aircraft. I’ll leave no stone unturned.
Did you know you can download a programme where you can simulate flying the aircraft? Haven’t tried it yet. Way out of my depth and too scared. . Hope to give you news and hear from you all in due course.:)
Jenny GThe Brylcreem Boys by Peter Durrant
FOUND IT!. Sorry to have been so long but I lost my password etc etc and got logged off for a bit. However, have spoken to Peter Durrant and have today submitted this play for 2008 at South London Theatre for an amateur production. It may then go on in a professional capacity depending on Peter’s permission and royalties. It’s very exciting as he has sent me both the full format copy of the play I was in at The Young Vic and the more recent One-Act he adapted for The Wadham Players Festival entry. (He’s also got a DVD of the original BBC production. Result!) If this play is accepted for next year then a trip to Hendon for the boys to see the Lancaster for research is on the cards. In the meantime, I’m doing lots of homework. Those of you still interested in keeping in touch – do we have a private message board here?
Jenny GThe Brylcreem Boys by Peter Durrant
I have searched for Peter Durrant, the BBC archives, the BFI, professional colleagues at The Royal Court and contacts from the Young Vic production in 1983. Good news is I have made contact with one of the actors from the original Young Vic production. I acted with him simply ages ago and he is now at The Wyndhams Theatre with Jenny Seagrove in ‘The Letter’. He can’t find his script but is still in contact with the producer of the Vic production and who is going to see him perform tonight. Andrew will pass on my details. There is still hope. The sound recording seems interesting, especially as scripts are practically non existent. If there are royalties to pay (if we ever find a script) then I suggest we do so or donate something to an RAF charity.
I have had no reply from The Wadham Players, who produced it last year, and so I am going to write to them personally. They have another festivall coming up so I may have to charge along to Walthamstow and make personal contact. Here goes.
Jenny GThe Brylcreem Boys and other plays
Still searching. Thank you Peter for your offer as an actor…don’t get too ambitious, I haven’t found a copy of the play yet! I’ve posted the search up on our Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain Forum and I’m still learning how to use your site – it seems to go round in circles – is this a deliberate aircrafty thing?
Jenny GLost WW2 plays
Goodness – looks like we have an entire season of plays and books to be found here! Thanks for the suggestions Mr Tweed. I’m still searching and will contact my contacts at the National War museum as well. Re: TBB, I learnt my lines (very quickly) from the stage manager’s script – that’s why I don’t have a copy. I’m still going for the Wadham Players connection though. There must be a source somewhere…and while I’m about it I’ll try looking for The Last Reunion 1965 remake of the 1955 play….may take all summer at this rate.
Jenny GLost plays
Could do a double bill if we can find the scripts! Here goes…
Jenny GThe Brylcreem Boys
Yep, thanks, this is the society I’m trying to get hold of. They must have a copy or contact somewhere, especially as it was only last year. I’ve emailed them.
You can get some details of the BBC version as has already been suggested from the BBC archives. It tells you the director and cast but not much else.
Aired 21st Nov 1979, Director: Roger Bamford. BBC2 Playhouse with Tim Spall and David Threlfall in the cast. I might try Tim’s agent.
Jenny GThe Brylcreem Boys
I’ve tried French’s, Weinberger, Methuen, Nick Hern – all the usual suspects and now the British Library. No results as yet. Sadly, or rather, fortunately I am no longer in contact with the director/producer (he was a compete nutcase) but the show was brilliant. This was an outside production for the Young Vic – so no joy there. However, I discovered today that an amateur company won an award with this play last year and I have emailed them and their director.
Naturally I shall keep you all posted if a) I’m successful in tracking a script down and b) if it chosen for next year’s submission season.
Plough on……..:rolleyes:
Jenny GThe Brylcreem Boys by Peter Durrant
I saw the BBC version but I’m currently looking for the stage play version of The Brylcreem Boys by Peter Durrant. I was called in to understudy the Nurse in The Young Vic’s production in London, May 1983. It’s a fabulous play. All other sources of information I have searched for on the net and otherwise do not seem to have a copy. I am now a director and would like to stage this play next year. It is a powerful drama and I have never forgotten it. Simple staging and excellent performances. Can anyone help?
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