Review: Goodnight Mister Tom, Dartford's Orchard Theatre, Tuesday, April 19 to Saturday, April 23

By Julia Roberts

A recent BBC TV programme paired teenagers and pensioners from all walks of life.

It made compelling, moving and thought-provoking viewing, demonstrating how much each generation could enrich their lives by learning from the other.

It is that same heart-warming theme which runs through Michelle Magorian's critically-acclaimed novel, Goodnight Mister Tom.

Some may not be familiar with the book but are more than likely to be aware of the hit TV production starring the late, great John Thaw in the title role.

I shamefully confess I have neither read nor seen this emotional tale but my 10-year-old daughter recently studied it at school and, buoyed by her enthusiasm, we accompanied each other to the inaugural Children's Touring Partnership production at The Orchard, Dartford.

The Children's Touring Partnership was formed after it was recognised there was a need to tour high-quality work for older children, and it is very fitting that it chose such a powerful and uplifting story for its debut.

Set during the ominous build-up to World War Two, Goodnight Mister Tom follows London evacuee William Beech to the idyllic Dorset countryside where he is reluctantly taken in by elderly village recluse, Tom Oakley.

Having been coupled together under the most unusual of circumstances, the pair build a remarkable, moving and enduring relationship.

Mister Tom, whose wife and son died in childbirth, discovers his love for mankind again, while young William finds a father-figure he can love and, most importantly, trust and rely upon.

The role of William Beech is played by three youngsters and at the performance I saw, with 12-year-old Oliver Tritton Wheeler stepping neatly into the dejected and rejected evacuee's shoes.

He arrives in the village down-trodden and beaten by a cold, God-fearing mother, to find warmth, understanding and compassion in the most unlikeliest of men.

Olivier award-winning actor Oliver Ford Davies portrays a wonderful Mister Tom. His voice gravelly and gruff, but with that underlying softness, he transforms from a broken soul to someone whose life is enriched by the companionship of a young boy.

The moment William naturally calls Tom "Dad" drew many an appreciative "aah" from the audience and, having seen the TV production on DVD at school, my daughter favourably compared Ford Davies's performance with John Thaw's. Impressive praise from a young critic.

The supporting cast was tremendous, particularly young Max Longmuir who gave an endearing and highly entertaining performance as fellow evacuee Zach.

The character could quite easily be an irritating annoyance, but Max played him with the right amount of charm, enthusiasm and exuberance. Zach's amusing explanation of how babies are made perhaps drew the biggest laugh of the evening.

It is always rewarding to see a simple set design work so cleverly. When the raised wooden floor which doubled as Mister Tom's home and the village hall lifted to reveal William's dark and dingy London home, it drew gasps from the enraptured audience.

But, what is worthy of particular mention, is the sheer skill of the puppetry involved in this production.

When Andrew Lloyd Webber needed a Toto for his Dorothy, the real thing was called upon. However, Goodnight Mister Tom takes a leaf out of the book of another West End hit, War Horse, to create Tom Oakley's beloved dog, Sammy.

It was like watching the genuine article as Laura Cubitt expertly guided the puppet around the stage, evoking many emotions just through slight gestures, mannerisms and even vocal skills.

Goodnight Mister Tom celebrates the value of love and proves that friendship knows no barriers.

David Wood's stage adaptation brings it gloriously to life and does much to ensure that what is fundamentally a simple tale will continue to enthral young and old for many more years.

Indeed, the audience at The Orchard was of varying ages, with the younger members particularly enjoying the schoolyard rhymes and older members joining in the wartime songs. It must have evoked many memories.

The best way of judging whether a production is successful or not is by the audience's reaction.

The standing ovation on opening night was thoroughly deserved by cast and crew - and Sammy the dog lapped up the applause.