Friend or Foe: 7-10 February 2007

TATS presented the world premiere of Friend or Foe – a musical adaptation by Ruth Lusby of the children's novel by Michael Morpurgo

Those of you who know Ruth Lusby realise that there ismore to her than meets the eye – she has certainly come a long way since being a member of the weasel chorus in Wind in the Willows just a couple of years ago.  She has gone from strength to strength in TATS shows, taking major parts as the Arbiter in Chess, the March Hare in Alice in Wonderland and Fiona in Brigadoon.

In our recent production, Ruth demonstrated her talents as a scriptwriter and composer with her musical adaptation of Friend or Foe, a children's novel written by the former Children's Laureate, Michael Morpurgo.  This is a touching tale of a moral dilemma faced by two young evacuees during the Second World War, set to some wonderful music composed by Ruth.

Friend or Foe is a family show in more ways than one – not only were Ruth’s parents, Ben and Mary, both involved with the production, but Michael Morpurgo is Mary’s cousin!

Ruth was ably assisted by TATS stalwart Rob Brand as Musical Director and newcomer to TATS Janine Channon as choreographer .

Click here for the cast list and rehearsal photos

Click here for photos of the show

Friend or Foe - Fabulous!

I wanted to write a short congratulatory note to you & everyone involved in the recent production of Friend or Foe. I marvel at the talent, enthusiasm & gusto that was put into it. And to coordinate that number of children is a skill on its own.

The whole production was wonderful. The fact that TATS is voluntary & people find time in their very busy lives is also to be admired but the overriding thing is that it brings together young & not-so-young to work together and have fun.

More, more, more please!!

A.N.

Farms for City Children

Children's writer Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare founded Farms for City Children thirty one years ago at Nethercott Farm, deep in Devon river country. The charity now has three working farms, where urban schoolchildren and their teachers stay for a week at a time and get involved of all aspects of farm life. The other two farms are Treginnis Isaf, on the Pembrokeshire coast and Wick Court, in a bend of the River Severn in Gloucestershire. A week on the farms offers a powerful mix for the children, many of whom have never had close contact with animals or even experienced a starlit night sky. Together they discover the satisfaction of teamwork and the joys of the natural world. Their farm stay is an unforgettable experience, stretching them in many ways - mentally, physically and emotionally.