The Fulstow Boys Review Lichfield Garrick

Lichfield Garrick | Review by Iona Chisholm

When you leave a theatre having laughed, cried and still carrying the message of a play in your heart days later, you know you have experienced something special. That was exactly the case when the Lichfield Players presented their powerful production of ‘The Fulstow Boys’ to a packed Studio audience at the Lichfield Garrick.

Written by Gordon Steel, the play is based on the true story of Charles Kirman, a soldier who fought at The Somme and was executed for cowardice during the First World War. The role was sensitively portrayed by Matt Beebee in an impressive debut performance with the Players.

For many years, the village of Fulstow in Lincolnshire refused to erect a war memorial because the authorities would not allow Charles’ name to be included. Only after his condition was later recognised as shell shock was a memorial unveiled in 2005, commemorating the 10 men from the village who died in WWI and five who died in WWII.

The play cleverly interweaves scenes from Charles’ wartime experiences with modern-day discussions by the Fulstow village committee debating whether his name should be included on the memorial. The script was so well written, the production so well staged and the entire cast of Players were such strong performers that it made for a truly stand out and memorable production.

Sarah Stanley gives a compelling performance as Nicola Pike, the determined chair of the village committee. Director Chris Stanley’s attention to detail is evident throughout — the cast even travelled to Fulstow to see the memorial and meet the real Nicola Pike to ensure authenticity. Simon Smith delivers a tender performance as Nicola’s husband Tim, revealing the personal cost of her dedication.

Amid the heartbreak of Charlie’s story and the emotional weight carried by his parents — powerfully portrayed by Terry Sharrock — moments of levity are provided by Mandy Davies, David Stonehouse and Lee Williams as members of the village committee. Lee Williams is particularly hilarious as the constipated Graham, while David Stonehouse shines as the ever-hopeful singer Maurice, and Mandy Davies brings perfectly timed humour as Moira, fiercely protective of her chocolate cake and brandishing her silver cake slicer with comic menace.

The execution scene is haunting. Accompanied by a lone violin played by Ian Davies and the cast singing Benedictus from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, the atmosphere is profoundly moving. The recreation of the memorial unveiling, with every name read aloud, leaves the theatre in complete silence.

There are strong debut performances from Freya Sholl as Dora, Charles’ wife, and Theo Fryer as George, his best friend. James Williams makes a welcome return as Danny, the amateur military historian. Ian Davies also gives a touching performance as George’s father, reflecting the pain of parents who lost children in the war.

If you missed this production, you missed an evening of laughter, tears and a story that lingers long after the curtain falls, brought to life by an exceptionally talented local cast.

The final words of Nicola Pike at the unveiling say it best: go home and hug the ones you love.