An explosive new thriller set in a Wareham pub in May 1942. It is the Second World War and the people of Purbeck are stoically enduring all the restrictions and deprivations that come with war with typical British resolve and humour.
The Isle of Purbeck contains well-guarded secrets that will prove vital to the war effort, such as the Telecommunication Research Establishment that is developing radar at Worth Matravers and the giant Naval cordite factory at Holton Heath.
German bombers used Purbeck as a navigational aid and dumped unused bombs here before they returned back across the channel. The Battle of Britain took place in the skies above Purbeck, resulting in many downed and crash-landed planes in the fields. Large swathes of Purbeck became training areas as preparations for the invasion of Europe on D-Day began. Children played where they could in Purbeck, and where they shouldn’t, and took to collecting souvenirs that were not always safe nor appreciated at home!
Spies were arrested in Purbeck, and a radio transmitter was discovered in an old disused quarry. During all this turmoil, the matriarch of a Wareham inn does all she can to keep her family safe, but even she has no real idea who is sheltering under her own roof.
Double Act drama group has written and performed a number of locally based factual productions over their 30-year existence – from Tyneham Time Remembered, The Clay Pipe (clay industry), Purbeck Line Up (Swanage railway), Storm Child (stone industry) as well as their ever-popular Murder Mystery Walks every other summer.
In recent years, more official secrets have been released and memoirs published, adding to our knowledge. So it was decided to set the play in a fictitious version of “The Lord Nelson” in Wareham at the end of May 1942.
Virtually all the incidents depicted or referred to in this play did actually occur in the area during the time in which it is set. Although some dramatic hindsight and time condensing has been used, great care has been taken to try to honour the lives and memories of the people of Purbeck who lived through these tumultuous times.
This Secret Isle will be staged at Corfe Castle Village Hall on November 21st, 22nd & 23rd at 7.30pm + 23rd at 2.30pm.
Tickets – Adult £10, Child £5 (under 5 free) From Corfe Castle Village Stores.