The Green Fields of France was billed as, ‘A Docu-Musical Tribute to
Manx Soldiers of the Great War.’ This impressive work was conceived, written
and produced by a former chairman of the trust, Bill Quine. It has to be one of
the most ambitious projects undertaken by us and played to good houses on the 8th
and 9th of August.
When Bill first floated the idea, I was very supportive and hopeful
during the succeeding eighteen months, that Bill, the cast, musicians and
technicians at the Centenary Centre would be able to pull it off. This they
did, well beyond any reasonable expectation. The local content, the large cast
from elderly to young children, the content, the style and quality of
presentation was moving and inspiring. This was particularly poignant when
letters from the front to local people were read out. Sadly, many of the
writers never returned or were seriously injured.
Members of the audience were greeted by a news paper boy handing out a
‘Special Great War Edition’ of the Peel City Guardian. This will become very
collectable.
A narrator tied the various elements together. It began with a
graveside and a small girl laying a poppy cross. The vicar for Peel, in period uniform,
recited, “They shall not grow old……” followed by a lone trumpeter sounding the
last post followed by a minute’s silence. The narrator held up a soldier’s New
Testament inscribed ‘Trust Jesus’ Sapper William Fox 2317’, followed by his
favourite text.
War was declared on 4th August 1914. Little did people realise
that this bloody conflict would last for four years. 8 261 Manxmen went to
fight, equating to 82.3% of all Manxmen of military age, the highest percentage
of any country in the British Empire. Numerous horses were also commandeered.
Period songs, many war-related, were sung by soloists and the specially
assembled choir. The audience joined in with the more familiar ones. All the
music was in the hands of John Elliott – always much appreciated. Roy Kennaugh
read poems in Manx dialect interspersed with instrumental items.
Suddenly, to cries of Gas! Gas!,
clouds of smoke rolled across the stage accompanied by the sounds of
guns and shells screaming overhead, serving to illustrate the vicious cruelty
of the enemy. This was contrasted by the name of the trench recreated on stage,
titled Lhen. The sound of guns and shells were realistic.
The unofficial Christmas truce of 1914 was featured together with a
decree from King George the Vth that this was not to be repeated. The fear was
that if the two sides saw each other as humans and even fellow Christians, the
will to fight might be sapped. At this point, our bagpiper moved from the back
of the theatre to the front, playing, “Silent Night.” This had a dramatic
effect. The final battle scene in 1918 with accompanying loss of life was very
moving.
The last scene back at the graveside with the little girl, complete
with poppy petals falling, was very moving.
It was appropriate that our narrator was James Mylchreest, grandson of
the late Col. Brian Mylchreest, Colonel in Chief of the Manx Regiment.
I’ve tried to capture the atmosphere of this fine production. All the
cast, too numerous to list here, performed with distinction. We are grateful to
our sponsors listed in the Guardian and the unstinting efforts of the Peel
Centenary Centre. All profits are being donated to the Poppy Appeal. A further
event to mark the war’s centenary will be a conducted tour of war graves at
Peel Cemetery at 2.30pm on Sunday, 5th October. Meet in or at the
cemetery chapel. Remembrance Day will be marked by a special event on the 11th
hour of the 11th day of the 11th month at the cathedral
war memorial. This will include a large number of children.
In much lighter mood, our next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, the17th
September in the Centenary Centre. Dot Tilbury, the undisputed Queen of Manx
Cycling will be unleashed in a presentation entitled ‘Cycling Anecdotes’. This will appeal to all
her many fans, so come early!
