Nicholas Collett tells a moving true story of his father, who served in the Royal Navy during the second world war, almost as an oral history encounter in this one-person show. Using models and simple props such as his sister’s dolls’ house, complete with little figurines, or a whisky bottle that later becomes a submarine, he recounts how his father first opened up about his wartime experiences.
An interesting piece, told with true feeling, about a time that is slipping from living memory
The first half of the show moves very quickly - sometimes a little too quickly - between different time periods as Collett tells an intertwined story of his childhood and his father’s life. The second half is where it comes alive, as he recounts, with palpable emotion, his father’s service on board HMS Vanessa, including a detailed retelling of a significant encounter.
As a piece of theatre, this is very measured and well rehearsed. There are impactful moments of real quality, but the tempo rarely changes, giving it a slightly lecture-like quality. Collett is also quite open about his agenda to ensure these stories are remembered – a laudable aim – though the ending is clearly designed to elicit a particular emotional response.
Overall, this is an interesting piece, told with true feeling, about a time that is slipping from living memory. Worth an hour of your time.
