Reviews

Ipswich Advertiser review 20th May 2005

Friday night's Romany Theatre Company production of Our Big Land saw a sell out audience pack the Gatacre Road auditorium, quite an achievement for a new company and a new play.

Writer Daniel Allum has weaved an epic narrative.

Director Janeena Sims uses a cast of four professional actors and four highly talented young performers to portray a vast array of characters.

Aided by some stirring music by Pat Whymark and choreography by Liz Lee the many scenes and locale flow with an almost cinematic quality.

At the heart of this versatile company are commanding performances by Josephine Cooper as Oceania and Tracy Elster as Sophie.

Brother and Sister Ruth and David Soanes also excel beyond their years.

Richard Mainwaring among other roles, is broodingly evil as a German death camp guard.

Both communities should find interest in a story rarely told on stage in this passionate and powerful performance.

GLEN PEARCE ****

Our Big Land by Daniel Allum. Performed by The Romany Theatre Company at The Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech on Friday 27th May 2005

One woman's personal story provides the background to the unfolding tale of her people's exodus from India, the persecution and prosecution they faced when they arrived in Europe, and the atrocities they endured in the Nazi concentration camps during World War Two.

Oceania Farr, played brilliantly by Josephine Cooper, brought us both laughter and tears.

We were inspired by the talent and energy of the young people in this production.

The songs and dances were breathtakingly beautiful and held an appreciative audience spellbound throughout the show.

The show should be made compulsory viewing for those whose prejudice and lack of tolerance prevents them from accepting the Romanies' right to uphold their ancient traditions and way of life.

REVIEW, by Sandie Miles and Trevor Leah from Fenland Arts.