Liverpool wartime memories revived on stage

Jun 23 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A NEW play about Liverpool evacuees at the city’s Unity Theatre next week has its origins in a project developed by a national charity.

We’ll Keep A Welcome, written by Michael Stevens for the Suitcase Theatre Company, explores the stories of former evacuees who were moved from Merseyside to North Wales during the Blitz.

The drama has its roots in a reminiscence project run by Age Concern North East Wales, which recorded dozens of former evacuees, now in their seventies, talking about their wartime experiences.

Michael Stevens, who lives in the area, was inspired after hearing these interviews and We’ll Keep A Welcome received its premiere at the Wrexham Arts Festival in May before moving to Theatr Clwyd in Mold. "I thought, ‘I’m a writer, there’s a play here.’ It was a wonderful experience talking to them.

"For many people, coming to Wales saved their lives in many ways.

"I’m glad this play has been backed by Age Concern because it puts a value on the experiences of the older generation."

The play tells the story of an imaginary Liverpool family whose children were evacuated to Wales in 1939 as part of the mass exodus of 130,000 youngsters from the city.

It follows the children as they move to their temporary home where separation from their parents, life on a farm and a new language are the first of many shocks.

The drama charts the experiences of the youngsters, their families and other characters also on the move, like notorious fascists William and Margaret Joyce – Lord Haw Haw – escaping arrest in Britain by fleeing to Germany.

Mr Stevens continued: "What I’ve tried to do is represent the experience of being separated from mum and dad, of being put on a train, not knowing where you are going and arriving in what was really a foreign country."

Linda Carr, Age Concern Liverpool’s independent living manager, said: "We’re absolutely delighted that this play has been created as a result of the excellent work of our colleagues in North East Wales.

"Bearing in mind the subject matter, we’re very pleased that it is being performed in Liverpool during Capital of Culture year and we wish the production every success."

Michael Stevens has written several stage plays on local history and issues including Gresford, based on the 1934 pit disaster and By the Waters of Denbigh, which chronicled the 19th century cholera epidemic in the town.

WE’LL Keep A Welcome will be performed at the Unity Theatre, Hope Place, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, June 24, and Wednesday, June 25. Tickets are £8 (£5 concs) from the box office on 0151 709 4988.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk