My Boy Jack

Chipstead Players

The Courtyard Theatre, Chipstead

Reviewed by Tony Flook

DAVID Haig's fact-based play makes for powerful theatre.

The author probes deeply into the personality of Rudyard Kipling, giving not only a striking picture of the man himself but also a telling insight into his home life and, most incisively, the effect on his whole family of his son's death in the First World War.

The central role of Kipling offers a magnetic challenge to the right actor. Chris Butler has a natural physical resemblance to Kipling as some photos show him.

More important, the actor totally inhabited the character of the zealously patriotic writer who did all he could to secure an army commission for his myopic son Jack and who became guilt-ridden when he was killed in his first day of action at Loos.

Butler commanded the stage, reflecting the way the playwright wanted to show Kipling's own domination of his family. He was convincingly portrayed as a somewhat inaccessible man, who found it difficult to express his emotions, even when grief-stricken.

Sixteen-year-old Alex Marrow had stage maturity as Jack, never totally at ease with his father but in control as an officer on the front line.

Kirsty Cunnington showed Kipling's wife, Carrie, as a quiet, resigned woman (although in life she was said to be stridently strong-willed). Her accent hinted subtly at her character's New England roots.

Sarah Perry, another of Chipstead Players' talented teenagers, portrayed their daughter Elsie as a lively girl with a strong affection for her brother and with no inhibitions about showing her feelings.

The most memorable scene however, was when Bowe, one of the men under Jack's command, visits the family in answer to their appeal for information about him. With stumbling, often disjointed speech and perfect timing, Nick Foster gave a brilliant depiction of a man mentally torn to shreds by his experiences.

Kipling's study at Bateman's, his Sussex house, was skilfully created by Alan Croft. Here were the panelled walls, concrete framed windows and all the trappings of a successful man, yet always with the feel of a family home, not a stage set.

Although Mike Dyson's sound effects overpowered some exchanges in the trenches, they fully emphasised the terror of warfare.

Chipstead Players' production, directed by Maggie May, brought out the depth of this thought-provoking play.