22 August 2016 (released)
27 August 2016
Emma Rice’s production of Kneehigh’s ‘946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips’ is so very special. Opening with a sublime cover of John Denver’s Leaving On a Jet Plane, I was instantly transported to another place and I didn’t want to leave.
Adapted from the Michael Morpurgo novel, it tells the story of a girl who lost her cat during a disastrous incident in the Second World War when 946 American and British soldiers died needlessly.
It was inspired by a real life visit by Michael Morpurgo to Slapton where due to a communication error, what was meant to be a rehearsal for the D-Day landings, turned into a disastrous German attack with no British cover. They didn’t stand a chance.
The show is packed with creativity and humour; a pole loving vicar, puppets depicting humans and animals, a toff with a large invisible horse, a vintage drag act, a skipping competition between Hitler and Winston Churchill and earnest, passionate and committed motorbike sounds from the free spirited grandma. And all of this madness in no way detracts from the seriousness and the heartbreak of war.
It’s very much an ensemble piece where every actor brought a bit of gold to the show. Ncuti Gatwa was pitch perfect as the American private along with Namdi Bhebhe who plays Harry and the cat and also happens to sing like a soul legend.
Katy Owen was astounding as Lily Tregenza, a 12 year old girl who means business and s is full of vim and vigour. Adebayo Bolaji interweaves himself in the action as the music master with great charisma and charm from his band in the heavens. The underscore, set and lighting supports the story in the most beautiful way.
Mike Shepherd, as grandma encapsulated what it is to be a strong and independent woman. The dry one-lines peppered throughout are a joy; “ I had a name before I was grandma you know” and after being offered a crisp at her husband’s funeral, she says: ’You really know how to treat a girl’.
If this exquisitely told story contributes to alleviating our compassion fatigue just a little, it has done a wonderful thing. These men, women and children fleeing untenable situations, all individuals, not a nameless and faceless mass of moving bodies, wide eyed with fear who have all lost someone or something. The ladies next to me were consoling each other as they both burst into tears.
