Review: Private Resistance - Eastern Daily Press

What if ...? is a great dramatic starting point. This, the latest from the renowned Eastern Angles celebrating thirty years in the region, is powerful.

What if the Germans had invaded Britain in September 1940? It's now known that secret Auxiliary Units of locals were prepared, some well armed, to go underground as invasion began and strike back, resisting the Nazi advance. That secret army was known only by the chosen participants.

Imagining how the local populace would have fared in the Manningtree area was explored by a talented and versatile cast of just five playing six characters, directed by Naomi Jones in a fast-paced piece of drama that used the space perfectly.

The script, researched and written by Artistic Director Ivan Cutting, captured the period and shaped recognisable characters, as well as finding moments of gallows humour to lighten the life and death seriousness of a war being lost.

The natural mistrust of possible collaborators, constant fear of the jackboot of German reprisals and repression was palpable. There was the sense that over time many English people may have ‘lost their anger' and stopped fighting back against military occupation.

A fascinating East Anglian wartime tribute, it's touring until mid May and worth catching!

David Porter