Journey’s End

Overview of the Play

Journey's End is the seventh and most famous play by R. C. Sherriff. It was first performed in 1928, it is set in the trenches at Saint-Quentin, France, in 1918, and gives a brief glimpse into the experiences of the officers of a British Army infantry company in World War I.

Press Release May 2008

2008 is Wythall Theatre Company’s Golden Jubilee Year. For 50 years they have produced high quality plays of all kinds around the region.

There will be many celebrations, but first up is their next exciting production, the 137th in the history of the Company!

They are staging that classic Play “Journeys End ” by R.C. Sherriff, a gripping portrayal of four days in the First World War trenches in the Somme. First performed in 1928 it has a cast of nine men, who are joined in this production by two excellent teenage actors, courtesy of Langley School, the local performing arts college.

Amidst the male troops there is a female director – Joy Rodgers. She has been a member of Wythall Theatre Company for over 20 years and is delighted to be the ‘Sergeant Major’ for this piece, as she has wanted to stage this play since studying it at A’ Level.

Compelling and moving, this poignant piece is filled with humour in the face of adversity, and its themes are just as resonant today. The company has done extensive research to ensure historical accuracy and strong characterisation, with the actors keen that the performance serves as a memorial to the many who perished in the trenches and on the battlefield.

The production runs from 11th to 14th June 2008 at The Dovehouse Theatre, Kineton Green Road, Olton.

Press Release, Various

Review July 2008

The first play that Wythall Theatre Company chose to produce during their 50th Anniversary Year must have presented them with a challenge.

R.C. Sherriff's "Journey's End" may seen a little out-dated but, in view of the present international situation, it is not really the case.

The action takes place in a dug-out in the British trenches during the Great War of 1914-18. We meet a group of officers, NCOs and a Private who are thrown together as they share times of respite and relaxation.

The actors, without exception, played their roles with sensitivity and understanding and sometimes the audience was close to tears.

One character, who stood out, both in the on-going drama and in acting was Simon Brown (Private Mason) who was the cook for the officers. The atmosphere always lightened when he put in an appearance.

The whole cast should be congratulated for giving the audience a truly moving picture of what life was like for the British "Tommies" and their allies during that dreadful war.

Pamela Mills, WTC Website

What the audience said

"... just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the play last week – thought it was done really well and was very good. The young lad gave a very good performance and acquitted himself admirably." A.T.

"Just a quick note to congratulate you all on an enjoyable play, we all commented on how difficult it must have been to perform it with very limited movement and detailed dialogue." S.C.

Our Audience, Comments and Social Media

Editorial May 2008

Another group with a birthday in mind is Wythall Theatre Company - celebrating its 50th anniversay, at Park Hall Community Centre, Silver Street, Wythall, with an informal ploughman's evening on Friday June 27.

The group is anxious to make contact with as many former members as possible for the function. The entertainment will consist of monologues, poetry and excerpts from bygone productions.

John Slim, Birmingham Mail