On the 80th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, it is fitting that the latest production by Alvechurch Dramatic Society, An Unsentimental Journey, should be a new play set in the 1940s.
Written by ADS member Alan Clarke, it follows the story of Rose and Richard, married shortly before the outbreak of World War II, then separated for most of the war as Richard fights in Europe.
When he finally returns home to Alvechurch, can they pick up the pieces of their relationship? As wartime pal Tom sparks up a romance with their friend Katy, will Richard move on from his experiences in France and Italy? And what exactly happened to the German airman shot down over Alvechurch during the fighting?
Moving back and forth through time, this thoughtful play asks questions about life and love, both now and then.
Alan Clarke says: “I was particularly interested in why the generation who fought in World War II were often so reluctant to discuss their experiences. At first I thought it was mainly an understandable reaction to the horrors that they encountered, but gradually I came to realise that it was also due to the different responsibilities they had to take on and the contrast when resuming civilian life. This was particularly true for the women expected to return to carrying out traditional domestic duties.
“Although Alvechurch itself was barely directly affected, its proximity to England’s second city meant that its residents were acutely aware of the impact of the Birmingham Blitz. However, this devastation is less well-known than, say, that of its neighbour Coventry because reporting restrictions at the time meant that Birmingham could only be referred to as “a Midland town” to prevent the Nazis using the impact of their raids as propaganda. The bombing of Birmingham and its surrounding towns lasted from August 1940 to April 1943 during which 2,241 people were killed, more than 6,000 injured, and over 12,000 houses and 300 factories destroyed or damaged.”
An Unsentimental Journey will be performed at Alvechurch Village Hall from Thursday November 28 to Saturday November 30 at 7.30pm. Tickets £7 (£6 conc) from The Lounge, Alvechurch; on 0121 447 7071 or via email on: ads.alvechurch@gmail.com