Blue Remembered Hills

Plough Arts Centre

Review: Emily Moss, Chloe Bayston, Amy Milner and Bethany Martin (students from Burton-On-Trent, Staffordshire)

STUDIO Theatre reached out across North Devon, performing Blue Remembered Hills not only at the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe but to a very warm welcome at the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington. What the cast of seven — Ali Azfa, Mike Bennett, Julie Moore, Tony Parker, Sandi Wildash-Daws, Nick Wood and Robert Zarywacz — didn't know was that a party of students studying the play had found the performance listed on Studio Theatre's website and travelled all the way from Burton-on-Trent to see it.

Here is their review of the production:

Studio Theatre's production of Blue Remembered Hills at the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington captivated the audience throughout. Their great portrayal of the lives of seven young children during World War Two held the audience through their use of childlike body language, behaviour and speech.

The set helped to enhance the characters' childlike behaviour as it gave them the opportunity to play and fight on many levels and with different props. Studio Theatre even went as far as to include a squeak on the pram's wheels.

Our favourite part of the show was the opening scene between Willie and Peter. Ali Azfa (Peter) and Nick Wood (Willie) portrayed the relationship between the boys superbly.

The fight scene between John and Peter was choreographed excellently as both Robert Zarywacz (John) and Ali Azfa (Peter) remained childlike with their movements.

Julie Moore (Angela) showed her higher status over Sandi Wildash-Daws (Audrey) perfectly, as between them they partook in the childlike and girly bickering of the two characters.

Tony Parker's portrayal of shy and abused Donald was superb. He showed Donald's insecurity by hunching over his back and biting his nails. This portrayal helped the audience to feel sympathy towards him.

The use of smoke and red lighting also helped to transport the audience to the fire at the barn, where they instantly felt helpless just like the remaining six children.

This was a tremendous production which had a cast of seven great actors and actresses, all of whom helped to produce such a high quality play.