Jamie's A Winner in Carrie's War

A Play at Appllo Theater In Piccadilly Square, London

By Cathy Reay
For Disability Now

Hearing that disabled actor Jamie Beddard, who first came to notice in the ground-breaking TV movie Skalegrig, was appearing in a stage adaptation of the children’s novel Carrie’s War raised cause for both concern and excitement. Concern because in the book his character, Mr. Johnny, is laughed at by other characters for being “scary”, excitement because, if pulled off correctly, his portrayal might have a powerful influence on theatres reluctant to hire disabled actors.

Originally penned by popular author Nina Bawden, this is the story of Carrie and her younger brother Nick who are evacuated to Wales during the Second World War. The children are sent to live with a horrible councilman and his nervous, quiet sister (played by ex-Eastender Kacey Ainsworth). Miserable, Carrie stumbles across the councilman’s other estranged sister, who is dying, the boy she fosters and their friend Mr. Johnny (Beddard). In her new relationships with two sides of the separated family, Carrie fights her own internal war as she is forced to choose who to remain faithful towards.

Staged at the Apollo Theatre, where, less than a year ago, non-disabled actor Adam Godley played the stage version of autistic Raymond Babbit in Rain Man, Carrie’s War, lacking in either a famous cast or director, unfortunately hasn’t drawn much of a crowd on our matinee visit and those that are present average at an age of about eight years old.

It’s not entirely surprising then that, when Mr. Johnny first staggers on stage, a purposeful swagger to his walk and exaggerated impaired speech, silhouetted against the night sky backdrop and screamed at by Carrie, children in the audience echo her fearful sentiment. At first it seems that Mr. Johnny is a character that only serves to further widen the boundaries between what children classify as normal and abnormal. But, with subtle direction and gentle exposure of Mr. Johnny’s good-natured character, we find that as the performance progresses, we are taken with him on his on-stage journey. To the kids in the audience it is no longer a shock when he appears, if anything it is a delight. Beddard immerses himself completely in the role, bringing his natural charm to the character and creating an instantly likeable bloke.

It is a shame that Jamie’s first west end appearance had to be in a play that trudges along with no real climax or excitement. This isn’t a reflection of the acting abilities of the cast as their portrayals are all praise worthy, but while Carrie’s War makes for a cute family production, those outside that circle might find themselves looking at their watch. But for Jamie we’re sure this is a new beginning; it would be criminal, based on this performance, to suggest otherwise.

Carrie’s War runs at the Apollo Theatre in Piccadilly, London until 12th September every day except Sunday and Monday with matinee performances on Thursdays and Saturdays. Tickets are available through www.apollo-theatre.co.

http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/entertainment/theatre/jamies-a-winner-in-carries-war