Review of “The Battle of Bamber Bridge”, a dramatic re – imagining.
Sat 24th June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, Photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events.
K-Squared Productions presented the premier of a new play, “The Battle of Bamber Bridge ” by Kevin Kelly. A dramatic retelling of the events leading up to the battle, 80 years ago to the day. Starting at the Methodist Church and finishing outside Ye Olde Hob Inn where the fighting broke out on the evening of the 24th June 1943.
The play was presented as a dramatic ‘read-through’ so you can see the scripts in the actors’ hands in the photos. Written by Kevin Kelly (writer and producer, K-Squared Productions Ltd) who first heard the story from Prof Alan Rice, (UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research)). Hearing it made him think “someone needs to write this play!”. Kevin worked with Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group) to make sure that the first performance could be part of the Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary events – with the added poignancy that the play ended at 10pm, the time that the battle in 1943 began, outside the ‘Hob’ with a minute of silence to honour the memory of Private William Crossland who lost his life in the battle.
James Churchill-Ellis and Christian Jae portray the growing relationship between locals and GIs, with Corey Thompson on the left The cast, Phil Hemming, Corey Thompson, Victoria Tew, Christian Jae and James Churchill-Ellis bring 40’s dance to the stage Phil Hemming and Corey Thompson embody their characters
The actors; Christian Jae, who played James Wise, a young American GI based in Bamber Bridge, Corey Thompson, who embodied Roy Windsor, an American MP, Victoria Tew who was Vera Brindle, a young ‘Brigger’ (native of Bamber Bridge), Phil Hemming, who played George Harrison, an older character with more experience of conflict as well as other characters that carried the story forward, and James Churchill-Ellis, who’s role was of a ‘Brigger’ carrying out ‘essential war work’ making parachutes in the Bamber Bridge Mill, all brought the story to life with great energy and panache.
Tania Daley-Cambell directed and Lucy Penrose created the soundscape for the play that transported the audience in the Methodist Church into the 1940s. The audience followed the action down Station Rd, Bamber Bridge, to the ‘Hob’, picking up interested people along the way and astonishing the pubs clientele who though they were out for an ordinary night’s socialising after the afternoon festival commemoration of the 80th anniversary. The dramatic performance, based on the events of the evening of 24th June 1943, held the audience spellbound and the fact that we were on the site of that original conflict brought out more memories for local people. Prof Gregory Cooke (Film maker, educator) spoke to a local man who described his mother’s memories of the battle. Gregory Cooke’s documentary film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’, which includes footage from Bamber Bridge, was shown earlier in the evening.
The conflict begins outside the ‘Hob’ Tonia Daley-Campbell (director), Victoria Tew, Kevin Kelly (writer and producer), Christian Jae, James Churchill-Ellis and Corey Thompson show their appreciation to their audience Kevin Kelly, Victoria Tew, Phil Hemming, Clinton Smith (PBHG), Christian Jae, Prof Alan Rice (UCLAN, IBAR), James Churchill-Ellis, Corey Thompson and Tonia Daley Campbell celebrate the premier of the play Sylius Toussaint, Phil Hemming, Corey Thompson, Victoria Tew, Tonia Daley-Campbell, Clinton Smith, Bridget Toussaint, James Churchill-Ellis, Christian Jae, Bernie Velvick (PBHG), and Prof Gregory Cooke after an amazing day of commemoration
It was a special night that will be remembered by all who witnessed it. Well done to K Squared Productions, the writer, director and actors for bringing the story to life for the 2023 audience. We felt a more personal connection to the historic facts through the portrayal of these individuals, their actions, thoughts and experiences.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events including Gregory Cooke’s documentary film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’ and the festival outside the ‘Hob’.
