By Tom Kelly and Ken Reay

Music by John Miles
Book and Lyrics by Tom Kelly and Ken Reay
Musical Director - Dave Bintley
Based on "The Machine Gunners" by Robert Westall

Robert Westall's "The Machine Gunners" was published in 1975 and won the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature, became a set text in schools, a million seller and a classic TV series.

The musical was first staged at the Customs House in 1998 and then spent a month at the Edinburgh Festival where it received rave reviews.

The Machine Gunners tell the story of a group of teenagers growing up in Tyneside during the Blitz.

"Funny, moving, gripping hugely enjoyable show" - The Herald ****

"Lively, enjoyable adaptation…an exhilarating spectacle…" - The Scotsman ****

"Memorable music and words." - Shields Gazette

"Spot on playground banter and the novel's wartime setting is skillfully evoked....the real emotional impact lies with the convincing portrayal of intense childhood friendship" - The List

"This is definitely a show worth seeing." - British Theatre Guide

PLEASE NOTE - There will be no performances on Monday February 8




The Machine Gunners (South Shields)
Date Reviewed: 4 February 2010
WOS Rating: 4 stars

The Customs House, South Shields

Date Reviewed: 4 February 2010


The Machine Gunners might, on the cover, sounds like a story of soldiers armed with weapons, but this poignant tale is much much more.

Based on the book by Robert Westall, an intertwining tale unfolds of old and young as they prepare for what seems like an inevitable Nazi invasion. The 1940's bickering, bullying class of teenagers hear of a German plane having landed near their fictitious North East town of Garmouth. Chaz, played by the energetic rising acting star, James Baxter, immediately wants to go on a quest to find more shrapnel to add to his collection. But upon finding a machine gun at the crash site, he decides its time for him, and his friends, to prepare themselves for war.

Chaz's father (played by Neil Armstrong) and the Home Guard however are worrying the war might not be won and his wife's concern (Tracy Gillman) is not only for her son and husband, but for the safety of her life insurance documents as well as catching up with the gossip from Mrs Spalding (Annie Orwin).

Baxter leads the young cast well, with his boyish looks and keen stage presence, he grows from an immature young boy to a war hungry young man keen to show he can defend his country.

Wayne Miller's performance as Hitler called for something extra and he duly delivers.

With musical numbers weaved into the story, each interlude of song adds to the charm of the production.

The performances of Jamie Hannon (Nicky) and Jamie Brown (Rudi) as Nicky and Rudi stand out with their impressive solos of songs "Miss You" and "He Will Need You". Hannon plays Nicky with the delicacy required to demonstrate his fragility after losing both parents to the war.

Other musical highlights include Donald McBride as the schoolmaster and his class, in "Englishman" and an excellent Annie Orwin's proclamation by Mrs Spalding that she mostly certainly is not the town's chief gossiper in "Gossip".

With a perfect blend of comedy, drama and song, The Machine Gunners is a touching drama of war, friendship and loss - a delight to watch.

- by Jane Blagden