Studio Theatre at Ballakermeen, 7th November 2025.
Reviewed by Anthony Lawler on behalf of the Manx Amateur Drama Federation
Introduction
Sponsored by the IOM Arts Council, ‘Remember Me to All at Home’ is a tribute to the fallen of both World Wars. With two award winning plays ‘The Perfect Gentleman’ by Sharon Walker and ‘Shelter’ by Jenny Derbyshire, (both of whom are Isle of Man residents) and performances from the Isle of Man Arts Council Choir. Both plays are set in World War I and World War II, respectively, and were performed by their original cast.
Production Overview
The production opened with a selection of songs from the first world war period, sung by the fantastic Isle of Man Arts Council Choir led by conductor Mandy Griffin and accompanied by John Riley the audience were encouraged to sing along, which set the atmosphere ready for the first performance, A Perfect Gentleman. Written by Sharon Walker, this play takes you on a thought provoking and emotional journey of one young soldier’s experience during the first world war. The play was inspired from the letters written home of Lt Cyril Gordon Walker MC to his family.
There was a short interval followed by a return of the choir who gave us songs from the second world war period, which led into the second play of the evening, Shelter. Written by Jenny Derbyshire, this was another thought-provoking piece of work set in an Anderson Shelter where a husband and wife, Will and Mary face the realities of war and relive the horrors of the past. While not a true story this play is based on two very real people and from where the title of the evening stemmed from, a letter from Will Derbyshire written in 1940 in which he pens “remember me to all at home”
Performance Highlights
Let’s start with The Perfect Gentleman – Three Actors took to the stage to perform this play and while I will not spoil the plot or how the performance was presented, I will say that all three were outstanding bringing not only their characters to life but, through their performances, brought us, the audience, into the world of Lt Walker and what he endured during his time at the front.
Shelter – This play sets a very different tone, with only two actors on stage who take us on another emotional journey of loss, love and hope. Again, with a powerful script and amazing acting you are transported into this very real story of a husband and wife who are trying to make sense of what is happening to them while trying to reconcile the past. The chemistry between the two actors is fantastic to see as they bring this story to life.
Direction & Technical Elements
Both plays used minimal staging and set, however, what was used was perfect. It transported you into the living room of a family reading letters from their loved one at war. And in the case of Shelter, into that Anderson shelter where the story unfolded. There really was no need for a dramatic set or fancy costumes, the acting and the scripts were enough.
Audience & Atmosphere
With a full house, the atmosphere was tangible. Ballakermeen Theatre Studio was made for these intimate performances and these two plays brought everyone there on an emotional journey from start to finish. I must admit I had a tear in my eye at one point and on more than one occasion the hairs were standing up on the back of my neck.
Final Thoughts
What an amazing night’s entertainment, thought provoking, emotional, and so very worth watching. If you get the chance to see any of these two plays either together or separately then do so. You will not be disappointed.