On the 1st August 2014 the members of Dover
Youth Theatre, supported by local musicians, film makers and actors, participated in a commemoration of the outbreak of the
First World War (WW1). Remembering those who sacrificed their today's for our tomorrows. The event was sponsored by "Up On The Downs" and supported by the White
Cliffs Community Partnership, Eurotunnel, Dover Community Radio and The National Lottery (Heritage Lottery Fund). Set within the scenic backdrop of Samphire Hoe on a clear and warm evening this
was a perfect venue.
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| The Venue - Samphire Hoe |
The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Sue Nicholas, kindly
opened the event, which started with DYT singing six songs that had been arranged by David Harding. The audience were
encouraged to join in and a few brave souls did just that; adding their voices to music hall favourites like "Daddy Wouldn't
Buy Me a Bow-wow", "Daisy Daisy" and "My Old Man".
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| The White Cliffs were a striking backdrop for the performers. |
The programme continued with "A Gift for the King",
a story by Barry O'Brien based on the first bomb dropped in England, in Dover. Then a list of the nations involved
in the conflict, "The Letter by Wilfred Owen, "The Concert Party" by Siegfried Sassoon, a classical song performed
by Poppy Watts and a further sing-a-long; of the period.
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| The attentive audience, watching as the sun set. |
Included in the programme was the premier of a play by DYT student,
Daniel Drysdale, titled "The Sea's Arms". A ghost story set just after WW1 and with a clever plot, the
play was very well received by the audience.
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| The Sea's Arms |
Starring Dan Drysdale as Professor Logan Newman,
a university lecturer who is troubled by paranormal occurrences (shown left). Abigail Taylor as Doctor Charlie Wheeler,
a paranormal expert (shown right). With Mia Donnovan as both Mrs Brennon, the landlady of The Sea's Arms, and as
The Apparition (Rosie) who was drowned in the Channel in the wreckage of the Carolina. Sound managed by Katharine
Wiggell.
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| Bryan Walker - Last Post |
As one would expect at an event commemorating the First World War, the words of "For The
Fallen" by Laurence Binyon were read out. The Last Post was played on the bugle by Bryan Walker, then there was
a two-minute silence, followed by the Reveille. It was a sombre moment in the still evening with the white cliffs providing
a pale illumination. Afterwards and with the sky now dark enough to
show films on the cliff wall, the event moved forward with the presentation of three films that had been produced and directed
by the students. This was followed by a film directed by the DYT choreographer, Ashley Taylor.
Mike McFarnell of Dover Film Festival fame has kindly allowed
the use of the film clip from the evening. The Film Festival is a fascinating record of Dover through the ages
and can be accessed online at:
A link to Mike McFarnell's film of the Samphire Hoe event...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Link to Film "Zuruck In Der Krieg" on Facebook
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| One of the Student Films - all of which received a special distinction. |
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| "Treffen (Encounter)" directed by Ashley Taylor |
At the end of the performance the crowd dispersed and it
was good to note that nearly everyone took their rubbish with them. Our thanks must also go to Paul and his team of
Samphire Hoe wardens plus volunteers from the parents of DYT students, who marshalled the traffic up until the time the Hoe
was closed to new visitors, because it was full to capacity, and then saw all the vehicles out. Plus the engineers producing
the sound and lights and projecting the films; as well as the helpers sorting costumes and props and the musicians (live
and recorded), Paul Cheneour, David Harding, Kevin Bull and Bryan Walker. And finally, the programme is shown below. If anyone has additional pictures then please e-mail them to the
secretary DYT and I will try to add them in.
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