The Worle Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) told a poignant and beautiful story of World War One to mark the centennial celebration last week.
I went down to the Blakehay Theatre, in Wadham Street, on Saturday night to watch the group’s production of Oh! What A Lovely War.
Following the huge success of Made In Dagenham last year, the musical group timed their latest production perfectly to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.
This impressive production highlights the hypocrisy of the upper classes – using both humour and tragedy in equal parts.
The cast once again showed off their remarkable individual talents with some brilliant song and dance numbers.
The clever staging saw the 30-strong group border the stage with painted faces with their props at their fingertips.
I was bowled away by the group performances of Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit-Bag, Your King And Country and Oh! It’s a Lovely Way.
My personal favourite however was when the females took charge in I’ll Make A Man Of You for an unforgettable performance.
The group moved around the small theatre and immersed themselves with the audience which the crowd really got behind.
What I enjoyed most about this show was there was the perfect balance of fun and jokes with darkness and sadness.
I found myself in tears of laughter one minute thanks to some of the cheeky Tommies, to heart-wrenching sobs the next during a dramatic and traumatic death scene.
The use of narration and voice-overs really hit home with the audience how many men died while serving in the war which, as I left the theatre with my friend, we could not help but reflect on the sheer loss of life in just four years.
All in all, this was a truly magnificent evening which I will not forget any time soon.
WODS will be back in action in July next year at The Playhouse theatre, in High Street, for Guys and Dolls.
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