Here's what Garth Jones, Cheshire Theatre Guild's Adjudicator thought of the production:

SOUNDTRACK and SLIDE SHOW (JOYCE SMITH) There did not seem to be a piece of music (whether Elgar, haunting piano or music hall) or an image that was not absolutely relevant to the words, and you cannot do better than that! Well done.

REPRODUCTION PAINTINGS: (CLAIRE PROLE, GORDON HAMLIN, BEN BRUNSDON, and DON HIRST) The three significant paintings dominated the set on three sides, but for all of their graphic power they seemed only to come into the foreground when they mirrored the words of the characters. Wonderfully done!

WARDROBE: (SUE CURRAN) It was a set of costumes which seemed simple but showed skill and care!

PETER NEWTON (KEITH HOGWOOD) The underlying shattered persona which he was hiding, the inner struggles only hinted at in the dialogue, were registered so well by gesture, body language and a slowed and brittle delivery.  

KITTY PROCTOR (JENNY HINDMARCH) The seemingly effortless way in which Jenny moved from one mood to the other belied the obvious care with which she had built such a credible and recognisable character.  

REGGIE "KIDDER" HARRIS (DAVID GILLIVER) The pace and energy, the quick cues, the varied registers, the mimicry of accents, used to such good effect, the unaccompanied singing and the devastating power of his evocation of the great war, again done with a touch of understated feeling.  

LAWRENCE TODD (DON HIRST) He had the manly stuff - the account of bayoneting, or the queuing for women - and his brusque, quick easy rhythm suited this well. His movements, too, were quick but with a hint of tiredness and painful memory.  

JOE HAINES (JOHN SMITH) A fifth character [arriving] very late in the play, he has to establish his character and his story very quickly. He looked good, a contrast to the squalor of the war. He used his voice well, with good tone, clear diction and a note of humour.

DIRECTION (GORDON HAMLIN) The production was of high quality and took a deceptively difficult piece and performed it so effectively it was made to seem easy. There is such an emphasis on the spoken word that the skills of the actors were tested to the full. The direction kept all else simple and gave attention to those voices, aided by the harrowing commentary formed by the images and sounds. It was, in summary, original, full of endeavour and powerful in its theatrical attainment. Well done everyone!

GARTH JONES, CTG Adjudicator.