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Castle Players Village Hall Lytchett Matravers October 2005 Henry is a Sheffield-born pre-war child whose rather unfortunate world is populated by vast numbers of strange, finely-drawn characters and, in his early years at least, a parrot. So how does all this translate to the stage? Well, in this production at least, the answer is beautifully. Frank Holden knows more than a thing or two about both the north of England and directing, and boy, does it show. With virtually no set, save for some excellent black and white slides to move the story forward from 1935 to the early 50s, the narrator (David Clements) and cast bring 47 characters to vibrant, colourful life. Scott Sullivan, who for ever more will be Henry in my mind’s eye, is outstanding in the leading role, and his fellow performers Alan Colclough, Chris Bunn, Linsey O’Neill, Gemma Harvey, Simon Merideth & Rebecca Thomas switch from one character to another with consummate ease and glorious results. Oh, and a smashing newspaper-style programme too. Henry may have been second from last in the sack race, but he’s first in my book. Linda Kirkman. Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo 
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