Basingstoke ObserverPOSTING Letters To The Moon, at The Haymarket on Wednesday 15 June, is an evening of wartime letters between the actress Celia Johnson and her husband Peter Fleming, read by their daughter, actress Lucy Fleming and her husband actor Simon Williams.
These touching and amusing letters from Celia to her husband tell of her experiences during the war – from coping with a large isolated house full of evacuated children, learning to drive a tractor, dealing with rationing, becoming an auxiliary police-woman and all the while accepting offers, when she could get away, to act. She went on to act for David Lean, Noel Coward, wartime propaganda films and broadcasts, and ultimately in 1945 starring in Brief Encounter for which she received an Oscar nomination.
Peter Fleming was away for most of the war - he writes about his adventures and trials working on deception in India and the Far East.
Not only are the letters highly engaging but they also provide a fascinating historical insight into a time of true austerity and fearfulness.
Lucy Fleming is best known for her role as Jenny Richards in the BBC post-apocalyptic drama series Survivors. Other credits include The Avengers, Smiley’s People, Mr. Bean, the regular role of Jo in Cold Warrior, and the first Helen Wycliffe in Wycliffe. Simon Williams is best known for playing James Bellamy in the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs. He is also known for playing Charles Cartwright in the sitcom Don’t Wait Up and Charles Merrick in medical drama Holby City. They have both appeared in the radio soap opera The Archers as Miranda, the depressed wife of minor tycoon Justin Elliot.
Tickets for Posting Letters To The Moon are priced £19; under 25s and f/t students £14 (includes £4 booking fee). The performance is 80 minutes with no interval. For more details or to book tickets, contact the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244 or visit anvilarts.org.uk.
