Neighbour's war memories inspire Gillian Plowman's new play

Originally due to be performed at the end of November, it will now reach the stage on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13.

Performances both days will be at 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm, with the play delivered as a rehearsed-reading radio play, presented by Arts Dream Selsey in St Peter’s Church Hall.

As Gillian explains: “My friend Jimmy Birchall died in March this year. In the very early days of lockdown, no one was allowed to funerals so he was alone, apart from the priest.

“He was my neighbour here in Selsey and he was one of the last surviving bomber crew pilots. He was shot down in 1944, being interned in the famous Stalag Luft III prison camp. He told me all about his experiences, and we wrote them down.”

The play is not Jimmy’s story but uses many of his words: “I said to him ‘Would you mind if I turned this into a dramatic piece?’ and he didn’t mind at all. I didn’t do it for a while because lockdown happened and coronavirus happened.”

But Gillian wrote the piece – and is now hoping she and the company will be able to go ahead with the rescheduled dates.

“In the play, Johnnie and Rose are a devoted couple in their nineties, living together in the time of the coronavirus. It is April 21 2020. They are in lockdown. Rose has a new smart phone and persuades Johnnie to record for posterity his wartime experience of being shot down whilst on a bombing raid over Germany, and of his time in the notorious prison camp Stalag Luft III where his determination to return to his sweetheart Rose helps him survive.

“Lockdown begins to feel as oppressive to Johnnie as being locked up all those years ago. Suspecting that Rose may have the symptoms of coronavirus, and determined never to be separated, the rebellious pair decide to have one last adventure.

“It is based on Jimmy’s story and a lot of the words are his. He was 21 in 1944. He was in his 90s. He didn’t have Covid, but sadly he died. And I sat and watched the funeral filmed from the crematorium. It was empty. It was just him and the priest.

“I had chats and tea with Jimmy and his memories were quite remarkable. I turned on my phone to record them. I typed his memories out and then gave them to him to read to check all the spellings. He read them all the way through, and we turned it into a book for him with various photographs. He was delighted. His one son lives in Canada and is a doctor. He wanted a book for him.

“Sadly Jimmy died… and then I wrote the play. I quoted him quite a lot in the play. What he is doing in the play is that he is sitting with his wife recording his experiences and then people come out of them. It is flashbacks coming out of the words he is saying.”

Gillian added: “The rehearsal will be on one day – to abide by performing arts rules of minimising rehearsal periods. It will be a unique piece. The audience could presumably listen with their eyes closed or watch the actors as they read. The story is ultimately uplifting and quite funny!”

Maximum audience, if we are out of lockdown, will be limited to 25. Tickets available during lockdown on 07861 590699 at £7. No tickets on the door. Lasts for 55 minutes.

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