Show: My Boy Jack
Date: 22nd October, 2026, 7:30pm
Society: Marlborough Dramatic Club
Venue: Brentwood School Memorial Hall, Brentwood
Director: Graham Poulteney
Report author: Angie McGlashon
This true story about Rudyard Kipling’s son, who was determined to enlist at 16 years old, was beautifully recounted by the Marlborough Dramatic Club. This was a nicely timed performance just before Remembrance Sunday and quite a courageous choice by the group. David Haig wrote the play with an overarching message that behind every name engraved on a war memorial lies a gripping story of loss and valour. We think we all know this, but a play like this does remind us that we cannot just group people under ‘numbers killed’ or regiments decimated. Every soldier and their family faced an aching loss as well as future difficulties from wounds both physical and mental. I give this preamble because the actors in this piece did not shy away from the raw emotions generated by the action of the play. They were all fully committed to their roles and the warning in the programme about ‘strong language’ was really not necessary for a play that resonated so strongly with the audience. In fact, if they had watered down the language I would have felt cheated of the depth of feeling needed.
Andrew Chesney as Rudyard Kipling was portrayed as a calm (infuriatingly so to his wife Carrie) measured man who was encouraging to his son. It was a lovely interpretation if a little quiet at some points especially when turning to the back of the stage. He was really the thread that ran through the play and he took on board the feelings and attitudes of that time really well. His wife, Carrie, played by Juliette Bird, was the opposite of Rudyard’s calm measured demeanour. Juliette really threw herself into the action and the scene after they hear, definitely, of Jacks death was both powerful and empathetic.
John (Jack) Kipling was played by Nathan Davies. He presented a young over enthusiastic young teenager very well and especially when he was with his platoon waiting to go over the top. He was fully invested in the role and because of that, the audience started to feel for his loss nearly as much as his parents in their individual ways. Poppy Day played ‘Bird’, Jacks sister and the connection between brother and sister was nicely played. Poppy was gauche and direct with her thoughts and the contrast was delightful.
The two medical men at Jacks army medical were great. They had exactly the right touch of wit and camaraderie in their dialogue but managed to show empathy for the very young boy who really shouldn’t have been put in that position because of his failing eyesight. William Wells took the role of Colonel Pottle and Colin Richardson was Major Sparks. These two gentlemen are always so convincing in their roles and I love to watch them onstage. There was was a delightfully humorous conversation about cars as the poor young lad had to go through the indignities of an army medical in 1914.
The 3 guardsmen McHugh, Doyle and Bowe, played by Craig Whitney, Richard Spong and Justin Cartledge respectively, had a great on-stage rapport. This where the dark humour and fragile surface bravado were tested and these actors maintained a nice tension between them. Bowe (Justin Cartledge) came back to tell the story of what had happened to Jack through a wall of shell shock and depression. This was a really powerful scene and he maintained the Irish accent all through. We were all on the edge of our seats waiting for the culmination of his story.
I must congratulate David Staley as Mr Frankland for a lovely contrast to the tension and grief surrounding him. That was a nicely judged portrayal as he encourages the guardsman to retell his story.
Sound and lighting effects, especially on the battleground scene, were very good and completely on cue despite this being the first night. Well done to Steve Bearpark and Mark Watson-Lee for delivering these.
I always enjoy Marlborough’s sets crammed full of great props that set the scene so well. The director Graham Poulteney is credited for the set design and alongside his directing role has produced a very touching, sensitive and powerful play.
Many thanks for the lovely welcome and thank you for an enjoyable evening with everyone once again.
Angie McGlashon
NODA East 10
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.
