Oliver Ford Davies as Mister Tom (Photo: Catherine Ashmore)
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Podcast: #WOSOuting to Goodnight Mister Tom

Last night (9 January 2013) we took 100 theatregoers to see the West End transfer of Goodnight Mister Tom at the Phoenix Theatre - until recently the home of West End longrunner Blood Brothers.

Olivier award-winner Oliver Ford Davies reprises his role as Mister Tom in the Chichester Festival Theatre, and joined us alongside adapter David Wood and other members of the company for our post-show Q&A.

Adapted from Michelle Magorian's bestselling novel, Goodnight Mister Tom follows the story of the sad William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and builds a remarkable and moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley. All seems perfect until William is devastatingly summoned by his mother back to London.

The production, which originally toured between February and May last year, is directed by Angus Jackson and continues at the Phoenix until 26 January.

Following the show we were joined by David Wood, Oliver Ford Davies, puppet director Toby Olie and several other members of the company. Wood talked about working in children's theatre, and how Goodnight Mister Tom had been the first show he'd felt child actors were necessary for.

Ford Davies talked about working with different groups of children, and the different things that each pair brought to the show, and Olie discussed the challenges of making a puppet a believable animal. The cast then discussed research that they had done about World War II, and Ford Davies told of his own experiences.

Finally, Wood talked about author Michelle Magorian's input in the play, and the cast talked about audience reactions that they get, particularly when lots of school groups are in.

To listen to the Q&A, which was hosted by Theo Bosanquet, click the 'play' button below; or to subscribe and download from itunes, click here.

Related Content

Booking Tickets & Show Listings
	Goodnight Mister Tom Listing Page

Internal Links
	Oliver Ford Davies On ... Bringing Mister Tom to the Phoenix - 4th Dec 2012 interviews
	Goodnight Mister Tom - 28th Nov 2012 reviews
	Opening: Young Vic's Changeling, Ford Davies as Mister Tom & Chichester's Kiss Me, Kate - 26th Nov 2012 news
	Plays cast: West End Mister Tom, Donmar's all-female Caesar - 30th Oct 2012 news