If any of you are within shouting distance of the Midlands, or might be passing this way over the next couple of weeks, and fancy a night out at the theatre, then may I heartily recommend the production of My Boy Jack by David Haig which opens tomorrow night at the Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa.
The play was originally performed in 1997 and was adapted for TV in 2007 with David Haig as Rudyard Kipling, Kim Cattrall as Kipling's wife Carrie and Daniel Radcliffe as their son John ('Jack') Kipling. It depicts the real-life story of Rudyard Kipling's attempts to get his son John - initially barred from military service due to his poor eyesight - a commission in the Army. John is sent to France to fight on the Western Front in 1915 and within two weeks is declared missing in action, believed wounded. At home, while the anxious Kipling family wait for news, Rudyard must deal with his wife and daughter's accusations as well as his own personal guilt for having sent his beloved son into this hell on earth.
The action of this powerful and moving drama switches between the drawing room of "Bateman's", the Kipling family home in Sussex, and the trenches of the front line. To bring these twin locations to life, the Loft production features not only a remarkable set design but also some stunning special effects for the vividly realised battle sequences.
Alternatively, you may want to come just so you can have a laugh at me looking uncannily like Willie Thorne.
The play runs from Wednesday June 1 until Saturday June 11, at 7.45pm nightly (except Sunday). You can book tickets online or by phoning 0844 493 4938.
Thanks - and if you do come, mine's a red wine in the bar afterwards.
Give us a bit more notice next time though! IIwy, I'd start the plugs sometime with the first rehearsal 
