Blue Remembered Hills

Synopsis

Originally written for TV, Dennis Potter's deceptively simple tale relates to the activities of seven West-Country seven-year-olds on a summer afternoon during the Second World War, in a wood, a field and a barn. The children (all played by adult actors) play, fight fantasise and swagger, their aggressions, fears, hostilities and rivalries a microcosm of adult interaction. Easy-going Willie tags along as burly Peter bullies gentle Raymond and is challenged by fair minded John. Plain Audrey is overshadowed by Angela's prettiness and wreaks her angry frustrations on the boys. All of them gang up on the terrified 'Donald Duck' who, abused by his mother and ridiculed by his peers, plays his own dangerous game of pyromania which ends in tragedy.

Our Review:

15 May 2013

This war time story set in the summer of 1943 tells the tale of seven children whose lives are changed dramatically one day when a tragic accident occurs. Dennis Potter wrote this classic childhood story in 1979 and is told entirely from the friends' point of view. There is always a little uncertainty when adults take on the roles of children, but Potter leads the way in that all of his characters are kids; not one grown up in sight.
 
As you would expect from a group of seven year olds, there is much messing about and general frivolity, indeed you have a hard time keeping your eye on this super fit cast as the stage is built to resemble a sloping hill (great for rolling down) and playing aeroplanes. Behind is a white background that is used to project images of trees to place the children in the woods, and provides atmosphere.
 
All of these actors are worthy of praise to take on the task of playing children and as they are hardly off stage, to keep up the ...

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