Theatre review: Goodnight Mr Tom, King’s Theatre, Glasgow

AN AFFECTING tale that truly tugs at the heartstrings, David Wood’s adaptation of Michelle Magorian’s award-winning children’s novel is a touching account of love amidst the dislocation of World War II.

Goodnight Mr Tom

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

****

Shortly before the conflict begins, young William Beech (Ewan Harris) is dispatched from London to live in rural Dorset with grumpy widower Tom Oakley (Oliver Ford Davies). Early scenes, in which Oakley becomes aware of the mental and physical abuse his ward has suffered at the hands of his Bible-bashing mother are sensitively handled, and the fond regard the pair acquire for each other develops believably and organically.

There’s an idealised, sentimental nostalgia to the country scenes, in stark contrast to the grim, grey shadows and sirens of London, and the ensemble periodically burst into uplifting Vera Lynn tunes.

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But Wood never sugarcoats the horrors of war, parental cruelty or misguided social services and the story puts you through the emotional wringer. Ford Davies is marvellous as the obdurate curmudgeon gradually rediscovering his tender side, his moments alone with the blossoming Harris a particular joy. Special mention has to go to some wonderful puppeteering from Elisa De Grey, bringing Oakley’s dog Sammy to life.

But the star of the show is William Price as William’s flamboyant best friend Zach. Robert Innes Hopkins’ set is simple but ingenious, transforming from pleasant cottage to grim, urban slum with a drawbridge-like motion. And the play never once shrinks from depicting the best and worst extremes of human behaviour.

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