Lilies on the Land, Exeter Northcott, Tuesday 15th March to Saturday 19th March
This is a truly remarkable and sparkling piece of theatre celebrating an extraordinary episode in Britain’s history – the Women’s Land Army of World War II.
Following phenomenal success on tour and critical acclaim in London’s West End in summer 2010, Fresh Glory Productions brings LILIES ON THE LAND, a play by the Lions Part to the Exeter Northcott.
Based on hundreds of letters from, and extensive interviews with, original Land Girls and songs from the period, LILIES ON THE LAND charts the personal journeys of four women who signed up for the Women’s Land Army over 70 years ago in World War II. With a genesis as organic as the soil the resilient Land Girls farmed, this is an involving, intimate and insightful production. Devised by the Lions part, the show now makes its deserved West Country debut.
As Britain went to war, women from all walks of life signed up to work long hours on the land. After the initial and perhaps inevitable clashes, a camaraderie grows between the characters…each has a tale to tell as they are immersed in a new way of life, one bereft of the home comforts and safety of the pre-war world.
As a shared, yet still individual, experience develops amongst the Land Girls, unexpected companionship offers new rewards. The rigours of rural farming life and a determined desire to contribute to their country’s War Effort are revealed with humour and honesty – from overalls full of mice and three inch baths to toilet rolls from the sky and eight stone sacks of potatoes… And if you’re lucky perhaps you’ll be treated to a Pimm’s No.1 – more than a week’s wages for one glass!
Moving in its portrayal, underscored with laughter in the face of unexpected events and revealing a breadth of experiences, LILIES ON THE LAND is theatre at its most memorable. Here we find a determination in the epic ‘Dig for Victory’, a resolve not to be beaten and an enduring impact both on the women involved and the country’s landscape, not least its historical one.
“**** The British at their absolute best” Daily Telegraph
www.freshglory.com www.liliesontheland.com
Lilies on the Land
Tues 15 – Sat 19 March 7.30pm
Thurs School’s Matinee: 2.30pm
Sat Matinee: 2.30pm
Tickets: A £20 B £17 C £14 D £12
Sat Matinee: £12 all seats
60+ £2 off/ Conc HALF PRICE
Age: 9 yrs+ Running time: 2hrs 20mins
Post Show Talk: Wed 16 March
Call the Box Office on 01392 493 493 or visit www.exeternorthcott.co.uk to book tickets.