Accrington Pals
by Peter Whelan
On the eve of the First World War Accrington became the smallest town in England to raise a Pals Volunteer Brigade. This is the story of the innocent and enthusiastic men who volunteered their services to their country– and the families they left behind.
This lyrical, absorbing play, premiered by the RSC, is set in Accrington during 1914-16.
The “Pals” are the men from the local volunteer battalion who march high-spiritedly off to the Great War with their experiences in the trenches contrasted with those of the women left behind. At times funny, at times sad, it paints a moving and powerful picture of the changes in civilian life during wartime.
Cast & Crew
Cast
Cast
May …………………………………………………….Gemma Louise Baddley
Tom ……………………………………………………………………..Andy Hoyle
Ralph ……………………………………………………………….Sam Hayward
Eva …………………………………………………………………….Katie Sharp
Sarah …………………………………………………………………. Kate Davies
Bertha ………………………………………………………..Esther Weetman
Annie ………………………………………………………………Helen Dawson
Arthur …………………………………………………………………Peter Dignan
Reggie ……………………………………………………………….Oliver Wright
CSM Rivers …………………………………………………………… Phil Clegg
Stage
Director ………………………………………………………………Karen Barton
Set design ………………………………… Sam Al Hamdani, Ken Wright
Set construction ………………………….Keith Begley, Andrew Wilson,
……………………………………………………………Kate Davies, Ken Wright
Set painting ………………………………………………….Janet & Geoff Iles
Stage manager …………………………………………………Elouise Barton
Lighting design &operation …………………………………..Brian Hilton
Sound ……………………………………………………………………Luke Settle
Props ………………………………………….Ann Hilton, Norma Kilpatrick
Costume …………………………………………..Edwina Rigby, Teri Parker
Prompt ……………………………………………………….. Patricia Redshaw
The action takes place between autumn 1914 and July 1916. There will be one interval of 20 minutes.
Director’s Note
The timeline for Peter Whelan’s play is based on the real life events of 11th (Service)Battalion (Accrington) East
Lancashire Regiment, better known as the Accrington Pals, from summer 1914 to July 1st 1916. Although set in real places (Accrington, Rippon and Serre) Whelan expresses his ideas through purely theatrical means and our set, lighting and sound crew worked long hours to bring this about creatively. This theatricality presents a challenge; how to portray Whelan’s theme of socialism versus individualism in a realistic and human way? The actors have sweated blood and tears as three-dimensional peoplewith all their glorious human foibles. The costume and props departments rose to the challenge to bring you a glimpse of human life in 1914–16.Every play is an exploration, a journey. We hope you enjoy this one. We did!
Karen Barton
