We'll Meet Again

'We'll Meet Again' is a touching production following a group of British children as they try their best to escape from London during the Second World War; it will stir every type of emotion.

The opening scene tugs at your heart strings as wives part from their husbands, and girlfriends from their boyfriends as the men leave to join the armed forces; 'We'll Meet Again' follows. A siren takes you by surprise, and the scene evolves into a classroom where Miss Reynolds and her students keep their spirits high as they sing 'Air Raid.' Eventually, the ear-piercing sound fades out and Miss Reynolds instructs the children to put on their gas masks; some are more successful than others! As the air raid warning sounds again, a reprise of 'Air Raid' is sung.

The following scene occurs at a railway station, and after Chamberlain's speech persuading parents to send their children to the country, a number of interactions between families follow. 'Now it's Time To Say Goodbye' is sung and the emotional exchanges are deep as children are desperate to stay behind. Finally, the children arrange themselves in lines ready to embark on their 'adventure' and 'Now It's Time To Say Goodbye' is reprised.

The arrival of the evacuees in the countryside is uplifting as there is a sense of excitement about the possibilities for the future. The children are handed their rations, and line up in preparation for an inspection for possible 'city nits' and 'dirty ears' and the indignation of the children is comical to watch; during the inspection 'I'll Take That One' is sung by the villagers. A crisis emerges as another group of evacuees enter, just as the villagers thought they had managed to house them all! Amusing dialogue is shared between Barfoot (the billeting officer) and the teacher, both of whom insist the other is in the wrong; eventually the teacher wins the battle.

The following scene sees two evacuees, Terence and Ronald, discuss their new homes with little enthusiasm but try to keep their spirits high during 'Life Goes On.' After a few teasing comments from country kids, the children play together happily whilst an evacuee, Margaret, attempts to write a letter home during 'Dear Mum And Dad.'

A sudden change of atmosphere occurs as the next scene sees the children back at home in London. We find several families gathered together in an Anderson shelter, parents discussing the latest devastation caused by the nightly explosions. Over the sound of an air raid they try to keep the patriotic 'stiff upper lip'. Unfortunately, they are interrupted by the Warden who tells them of a bomb that has landed silently nearby and urges them to evacuate the area as soon as possible. The characters appear disheartened as they realise things can only get worse and are faced with the realisation of having to send their children away again.

However, the audience do not remain saddened for long, as the appearance of a child called Brian welcomes the children to their second home in the Welsh countryside. Unable to understand his accent, the following scene provides some light relief for the audience. The children are quickly welcomed into their new homes, but some are astonished at their new routine, having to share a bath with several other children! It is appropriate that 'Bathnight Blues' should follow.

Luckily, this emotional roller-coaster of a production ends on a high as the cast celebrate the end of the war. Everyone is happy to be back with their families again, and although Terence's life will be different now as his Dad has lost a leg after standing on a land mine, he joins in with the preparations for a VE street party. The stage is full of decorations, smiles and reunions and 'We'll Meet Again' ends the show on a high.