946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
Shakespeare’s Globe
18th August 2016
3 Stars
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It’s not just big collars and long soliloquies at the Globe this summer. It’s currently the home to a lively Michael Morpurgo adaptation that has transferred across from Cornwall.
The script is straight from the Morpurgo playbook – featuring a war, a young child and plenty of animals (although this is more War Cat than War Horse).
It tells the true story of how Devon’s coastal villages were evacuated so US servicemen could conduct war exercises on the beach.
The resulting operation was a massive failure, resulting in 946 casualties (hence the play’s title). The fallout impacts the whole community, including a pair of American GIs who win the hearts of the locals.
The script touched on some serious themes, such as racism, abandonment and the treatment of outsiders. The play is strongest when it embraces these themes; for this reason, the second half was far superior to a disjointed first half, which took an age to get going thanks to an unwieldy framing device.
Admittedly this is a family friendly production but some of the wacky asides felt a bit too overdone and knowing; especially the frequent breaking of the fourth wall. The musical interludes were also too frequent and together with their repetitive lyrics, did little to advance the plot.
Katy Owen provided buckets of sweetness and light as Lily; despite being an adult actor she captures the mannerisms of a young girl perfectly. Also impressive was Ncuti Gatwa and Nandi Bhebhe as the American soldiers; genuine triple threats who brought some much-needed verve and energy to the singing and dancing.
Lez Brotherston’s set was quirky and effective, whilst the trademark Kneehigh Theatre puppetry led to some wonderful interaction with the entertaining Globe groundlings.
This is a story well worth telling; one of the most hushed up disasters in Anglo-American history. It has been turned into a touching and entertaining play, one that is not without its flaws but that offers a great night out for all the family.
