You may remember
a brilliant TV portrayal of Nella Last by the late Victoria Wood in 'Housewife,
49' a few years ago. Well, our own
brilliant portraitists came to the HEART Centre last night to give a packed
house a flavour of Headingley diarists
Fred, Joan and Henry. World War Two
started as the snow fell. Our own
audience had indeed shown the 'spirit of the blitz' to get here through the
blizzards and listened in silence as we heard the recorded announcement by
Neville Chamberlain declaring that Britain was at war in his quiet, sombre,
tones. Words from the past that set the
scene.
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| Trio Literati Photo: Lloyd Spencer |
It was alleged
that the diarists were left wing, middle class and highly literate. Not all true, of course, but certainly the
words and opinions these literati have left for us take you back to those
desperate, unsettling, even frightening times with unerring accuracy. Worried?
Have a cup of (mostly unsweetened) tea. Women in trousers! Air-raid shelters built in the pantry. Gas masks on a weekly shopping list. The cafes in department stores such as
Lewis's and Marshall and Snelgrove serving tea that tasted of senna pods. And, of course, rationing with its privations
and eccentricities – brains on toast anyone?
Obsessive
listening to the wireless was the main source of news. The collapse of the Low Countries and the
withdrawal from Dunkirk brought the war closer to Headingley. Dangerous aliens, even Jews who had escaped
from Nazi pogroms, were suspected, questioned and interned. Road signs taken down, so the cry of “Where
are we?” echoed round the number 6 tram.
Saucepans for Spitfires. Lace
curtains for mosquito nets. Make do and
mend was the national mantra.
Although Leeds
suffered very little bomb damage, the pounding of Bradford and the drone of
planes flying overhead on their way to Sheffield spread alarm and fear. It must feel a little like that in many areas
of the middle east at the moment – war is never less than frightening for the
civilians who live it. Maggie Mash,
Jane Oakshott, Richard Rastall and Will Rastall played the
denizens of Headingley who told us what life – large and small – was like for
this little corner of Britain.
But the theatres
stayed open, the Cottage Road cinema did good business – dear old Fred and
Ginger – and dances gave people an outlet for some fun and entertainment. Wireless concerts were popular and many songs
of the period have attained iconic status – Nightingale Sang in Berkeley
Square, Lambeth Walk, Bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover and, of course,
We'll meet again. All beautifully
rendered by Eleanor Rastall, with musical accompaniment from Jonathan
Drummond on the piano and Tom Richards on the saxophone.
Comments on the
mundane actually offered a profound view of what wartime was really
like. Petty, scary, ridiculous, heroic,
unpredictable. But presented to us with
brio, panache, humour and a light touch.
Another triumph for Headingley's very own Literati.
Audience Comments
Audience Comments
Very evocative portrayal of
this local area of Leeds during the onset of the second world war. Slick and
varied with the right mix of reading from the Mass Obs. Diaries, music and singing.
I thoroughly enjoyed the
show! It was fascinating, moving and locally relevant material performed with
warmth, love and skill.
The attendance considering
the weather was amazing. Tribute to Trio Literati and I believe the event
organisers. The reproduction of the 40's and music of the war was very
nostalgic for me. My third fine event of the series.
Good fun. Well worth coming
out in the wind and snow to see it!
Informative and very
entertaining. Glad we came.
An excellent evening! Lovely
singing too.
An excellent evening!
I enjoyed it very much. It
was my first but I would like to see them again. Thanks
Very enjoyable , well
performed, as one expects from Trio Literati, but as always full of lovely
surprises. Quite a family affair now!
I thought it was great. It
made you think without laying on too much political propaganda!
A very well acted
performance, very entertaining and engaging.
Good to look/think back to
what it was like for 'normal' people during war.
Well done, great event!
Interesting to hear about the Yorkshire involvement. Glad I came!
Very good show - interesting
historically and somehow uplifting. Very well performed.
Superb production! So many
talented performers. We really enjoyed it. Well done Trio Lit and guests!
A very lively entertainment
cleverly adapted from a great book, full of inspired memories and enthusiastic
performances from the actors and musicians.
Loved it. Nostalgic
memories!
Good fun. Good to have
quotes from the Mass. Ob. Records, and especially to hear about this locality.
Nice variety.
Very enjoyable - nice to
have the local references. Trio Lit are especially good with the younger
Rastalls on board.
Performed with gusto! Music
enhanced it. Caught the 'feel' of wartime.
A delightful combination of fun,
drama and entertainment.
Simply wonderful. I loved
this event.
Very good. Thought
provoking. Pacy and fun.
Encore! Wonderful show!
Splendid - well up to
standard on the big stage - a really good group of players.
Interesting mix of
domestic/military episodes. Lively and humorous. Music expertly performed. Most
enjoyable! (an earlier starting time preferred)
Extremely well performed and
made excellent use of the Thoresby ??? Publication. A very poignant, moving
production. ??? Further performance.
Very entertaining. Well
produced. Great characterisations and atmosphere
Brilliant evenings
entertainment - such skilled performers and very thought provoking.
Excellent production. Really
enjoyed this nostalgic evening. Thank you. Great choice of songs. A bit of
dancing/movement at appropriate moments would improve it
Enjoyed it - quite evocative
BUT needed a stage. Also pity lighting could not be used for effects - and
lines perhaps learned. But well done Trio Lit..
Lovely event, well
performed, moving, uplifting.
Very good. Enormous talent.
Really enjoyed it.
The show was very good and
was very cheerful (And Excellent)
The show was excellent.
Excellent night with a great
mix of music and theatre.
Very enjoyable as always
Great and entertaining.
It was alright, reminiscent
of sentiments still prevalent.
Another enjoyable event from
Trio Lit and Headingley LitFest.
Wonderful … so very Leeds x
Very evocative and
enjoyable. Let's have some more!!
Trio Lit as good as ever.
An excellent production!
More please.
Fine drill. Voices from
Leeds
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