By Isle of Wight Observer
The Apollo Theatre, Newport, is looking forward to welcoming audiences to their production of “Lilies on the Land”, which tells the stories of a group of women who worked on the land during WWII. More than 80,000 women across the UK joined the Women’s Land Army, known as ‘land girls’, to help with the war effort, including many on the Island, some of whom are still with us.
The play’s director, Chris Hicks, said: “We are all delighted to be putting on this play, which celebrates the Women’s Land Army and their often unsung achievements in supporting the war effort.
“Their essential work will always be remembered, and perhaps our play will help those who don’t know much about the WLA to find out more.”
The play is focused on the lives of four women, Vera, Margie, Poppy and Peggy, and tells of their experiences as members of the Women’s Land Army (WLA) in WWII.
Their stories, interspersed with songs from that era, tell a story of women who stepped into the breach; paid little, often under-appreciated and ill-prepared but nevertheless retaining their camaraderie.
“Lilies on the Land” was devised and written by The Lions part, a London-based group of actors. They realised that they knew very little about the role the WLA played in WWII, known as the ‘forgotten army’, so they advertised in Saga magazine asking for any readers with experience of the WLA to get in touch.
They were overwhelmed with over 150 letters and responses, and the experiences of those women became the heart of the play.
You can watch ‘Lilies on the Land’ at the Apollo Theatre on March 22-30 (matinee on Saturday 23, no performances Sunday or Monday).
Book online or ring the box office on 210010.
