"Did the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp make a difference?" asked the strapline for Gwilym Scourfield's Remember Tomorrow. The play was presented at The Thame Players Theatre on the final evening of the town's recent Arts and Literature Festival. Overtly characterized as a "Play for Voices," the text was read (justifiably) script-in-hand, in an undraped, unfinished, sparsely-lit acting area evoking the sombre nature of the situation that galvanised a sizeable bevy of female human-fence naysayers in the 80s.
Very effectively, the focus was on the microcosm: two direct-action women, a visiting daughter, two males (maintained on suffrance), and nominal representatives of the police and judiciary. These were personified by an able cast of four: Ruth Curtis, Andrew Bolton, the writer himself, and, in the lead, a deft, hypnotising Jenny Johns.
The play has some flaws. That the events and the encircling of the Base are a 'known', and that testimony from those who took part has been well-aired, work heavily against the creation of a dramatic tension. I would have appreciated moments of really disturbing conflict between the two friends, one of whom has been persuaded to join the movement, sparked by the realities of the day-to-day situation and by a conscience-torturing concerning the abandonment of home. This would have provided material against that lack.
Such "hostilities" as are perpetrated against this pair by the Establishment are fundamentally pretty benign - a really aggressive confrontation again could could have counteracted the prevailing not-quite-apposite 'ease' of atmosphere - a greater air of risk and edginess is felt to be called for.
But to pursue what might-have-been further would be pointless. What is indisputable is that, as it stands, this is concerned, researched, quality writing which was performed impeccably, to a highly appreciative and attentive audience. Was the poster-posed question answered? Who can say? What, surely, is inarguable is that exerting the right to protest in so disciplined and undestructive a manner as "The Women" employed, can only be positive. The panache of this company and the author made the show doubly positive- perhaps especially in the light of recent public disorder. Remember Tomorrow could hardly be more applicable to today.
Very effectively, the focus was on the microcosm: two direct-action women, a visiting daughter, two males (maintained on suffrance), and nominal representatives of the police and judiciary. These were personified by an able cast of four: Ruth Curtis, Andrew Bolton, the writer himself, and, in the lead, a deft, hypnotising Jenny Johns.
The play has some flaws. That the events and the encircling of the Base are a 'known', and that testimony from those who took part has been well-aired, work heavily against the creation of a dramatic tension. I would have appreciated moments of really disturbing conflict between the two friends, one of whom has been persuaded to join the movement, sparked by the realities of the day-to-day situation and by a conscience-torturing concerning the abandonment of home. This would have provided material against that lack.
Such "hostilities" as are perpetrated against this pair by the Establishment are fundamentally pretty benign - a really aggressive confrontation again could could have counteracted the prevailing not-quite-apposite 'ease' of atmosphere - a greater air of risk and edginess is felt to be called for.
But to pursue what might-have-been further would be pointless. What is indisputable is that, as it stands, this is concerned, researched, quality writing which was performed impeccably, to a highly appreciative and attentive audience. Was the poster-posed question answered? Who can say? What, surely, is inarguable is that exerting the right to protest in so disciplined and undestructive a manner as "The Women" employed, can only be positive. The panache of this company and the author made the show doubly positive- perhaps especially in the light of recent public disorder. Remember Tomorrow could hardly be more applicable to today.