Shropshire Events and Whats On Guide

Shropshire Events and Whats On Guide

Review: “A Friend Within The Gates” by Janet Wantling

Chris Eldon Lee reviews “A Friend Within The Gates” by Janet Wantling, available in CD audio format from the Red Balloon Book Shop in Ludlow and Burway Books ( www.burwaybooks.co.uk )  in Church Stretton.

Eighty minutes ago I knew nothing of Edith Cavell. Now I am full of admiration for her. Her heroism within war outshines Florence Nightingale’s lamp.

A British World War One nurse, she was executed in Belgium by the advancing Germans for facilitating the escape of around 200 Allied prisoners. As the invasion took hold, she knew all along it was only a matter of time before she was caught. Yet she did not stop helping Tommies to get away, or indeed nursing dieing German soldiers. Her ultimate sacrifice galvanised a whole new generation of young British men to sign up…which is a doubled edged legacy, to say the least.

Janet Wantling’s painstakingly researched play takes place in Cavell’s condemned cell the night before she faces the firing squad. She’s declined to appeal against her death sentence, so rarely imposed upon women in war. “I was a woman doing a man’s job,” she declares, “so must take a man’s punishment.” But when the much-anticipated pastor, arriving to take the last rites, turns out to be in German uniform, she declares she’d “sooner take it from the Devil.” The play then proceeds to fully explores the constantly rebalancing relationship between Cavell and the clergyman, who are both spiritually transformed by the hours they spend together.

Pat Brackenbury’s studied portrayal of Cavell is suitably straight-laced, frank and realistic. You have to admire a character who can clearly see her own fate in the greater context. With stiff upper lip she calmly acknowledges, “I am English and they want my blood”. And deep-seated guilt pours from Brackenbury’s voice as she describes how Cavell was tricked into betrayal and compromised the safety of her nurses.

Colin Prockter (who also directs) is exceptional as Pastor Paul Le Seur who takes Cavell’s contempt on the chin, wins her round and makes a huge sacrifice for her spiritual welfare. His is a priestly portrayal of a true man of God who recognises both armies can claim the Maker to be on their side. And when the exchange of philosophy descends into bickering, it is Proctor’s acting prowess that makes the recovery of the relationship believable. The pain in his delivery as he describes how Le Seur’s family suffered at Allied hands is deeply touching and equally ironic to British ears.

Chris Eldon Lee
Chris Eldon Lee

This being very much a Shropshire project it’s good to hear Bishop’s Castle’s Richard Beaumond in the cameo role of jailer Jean, the go-between, given some important moments by Craven Arm’s Janet Wantling. But it’s the way her writing seeps deep under the skin of Cavell and Le Seur that gives the play its undeniable authenticity.

This is very much a complete history lesson in dramatic form. It’s thoroughly educative in every aspect of Cavell’s life and soul, and concludes with a very chilling twist for Le Seur, as the fortunes of war are inevitably reversed.

And as we gird our loins for an extended Centenary season of WW1 reminiscences, it’s very good to hear such a caring and largely unknown story so well told.

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