NewsCarrie's War in the West End
A stage adaptation of Nina Bawden's novel Carrie's War opened at The Apollo Theatre in the West End on 24 June 2009 to critical acclaim. The classic children's title about Carrie Willow and her brother Nick's wartime experiences as evacuees in a Welsh mining village was adapted for the stage by Emma Reeves and produced by Novel Theatre.
Nina Bawden was interviewed in The Times about her life prior to the production's opening night.
The production stars Jamie Beddard as Mr Johnny:
'Best of all is James Beddard as Mr Johnny, the first time, surely, a genuinely disabled actor has made such a marvellous meal of a disabled role in the West End.' WhatsonStage
'Mr Beddard, himself handicapped, delivers the goods with effortless aplomb.' Daily Mail
More reviews for the production:
'Carrie's War has to rank as one of the best books for children published in the last 50 years, and Emma Reeves's affectionate adaptation of Nina Bawden's 1973 novel will appeal to those who grew up with the book as well as to anyone seeking family-friendly entertainment...this dramatic version of Bawden's modern classic is wholesome, imaginative and polished.' **** Evening Standard
'the production achieves what Reeves describes in the programme as its primary aim. Does it tell 'a very human story about people's mistakes and misunderstandings'? And is that story 'cracking'? On both counts, yes.' **** The Times
'This is a funny, sad and deeply rewarding piece of theatrical storytelling - whatever age you happen to be.' **** Daily Telegraph
'it works partly thanks to the humanity and restraint of Miss Bawden's story...Carrie's War tugs and tears all right...' Daily Mail
'this quietly poignant staging of Nina Bawden's novel catches the mixture of emotions that afflict Carrie and conveys the vivid strangeness of the world that greets her. For older theatregoers it may bring back memories; for younger people it will bring history to life. I took an eight-year-old and a 12-year-old to see it. They loved it'. Financial Times