Review: Lotty's War

What a treat was in store last night at being invited to Press Night at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon to review LOTTY`S WAR on behalf of Total Guide to Swindon.

This was a thought provoking and sometimes harrowing tale.

The play follows the relationships, upheavals and moral dilemmas of two young Guernsey islanders and a General from the German occupying forces during the 2nd World War.

Lotty is an indigenous islander living in the family home following the death of her father. She has a steady boyfriend, Ben, but their worlds are turned upside down after the Nazi invasion and occupation of Guernsey and Lotty finds her home commandeered by a German General, Rolf. The General insists Lotty remains in the house to act as his housekeeper. Over time a relationship develops between Rolf and Lotty as they find themselves falling in love. At the time relationships between island women and the occupying forces were deeply frowned upon by the majority of the islanders and these women were given the derogatory nickname `Jerrys Bags`. Needless to say Lotty finds herself more and more isolated and Ben, understandably, disassociates himself for some years from Lotty and helps the local resistance.

As the war progresses life on the island becomes harsher and harsher for both islanders and the Nazi`s and unthinkable actions occur which ultimately brings Ben back into Lotty`s life.

This is a beautifully crafted and acted production which seamlessly follows the lives of the protagonists from the first day of the occupation until liberation in 1945.

Ian Reddington, Victoria Emslie and Mat Ruttle are the superb cast making the characters totally believable and generating some empathy for them all.

The play is running all this week at The Wyvern with performances at 7.30pm with matinees on Wednesday 8th June and Saturday 11th June at 2.30pm. 

Would definitely recommend this production which seems especially poignant with the anniversary of the D Day landings this week.

Patricia Ledger