It's been a few weeks since I saw Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways, but now, during this time of remembrance, it is as apt a time as any to review this heart-warming show of courage and perseverance.
As Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways was not your traditional 3-hour long piece of theatre, I won't be keeping to my usual format for reviewing. Instead, I will give a brief outline of the show, then look more closely at each half, before ending with my lasting impressions.
The show, produced by Alarum Theatre and written and performed by Kate Saffin and Heather Wastie, looks into the lives of the women who stepped up to manage the waterways of England during World War Two. As the men enlisted and went off to fight, women were trained to run the canal boats which were vital for transporting the supplies needed for the war effort. The show - a double-bill with a mixture of theatre, storytelling, poetry and song - gives snapshot glimpses into the lives of these women, teaching us about this important piece of history and ensuring their service is not forgotten.
Isobel's War
The first half of the show is a piece of theatre entitled Isobel's War, a one-woman performance by Kate Saffin. Opening with a daughter clearing out her late mother's attic, items recall memories, and the story of this mother (Isobel) and her war work is told through flashback. Through her actions, changes in voice, and a small accompaniment of props, Saffin masterfully embodies Isobel and a whole host of other characters. It is hard to pin down which is more impressive: Saffin's ability to deliver the entire script, single-handedly and faultlessly, or the way her movements paint a picture, so that we almost see the attic, the cabin, the deck.
Throughout the piece, we see Isobel transform from a timid newbie to a more capable and confident young boater. We follow her journey as she learns new skills and makes new friends, navigating not only the complex waterways but also the difficult relationships with her mother and boyfriend! Saffin's storytelling finds the balance between sensitivity and humour, without omitting any truths or making light of the trials the trainees faced. When we return to the attic, we feel our eyes, like the daughter's, have been opened, and feel all the more replenished for it.
Idle Women and Judies
During a brief interval, Saffin and Wastie recited 'Two Sides', a poem written by Black Country poet Emma Purshouse (follow the link to hear Purshouse recite this poem). All three of these women have a strong connection to the water - all either live or have lived on canal boats; Wastie has also undertaken work to clean and preserve her local waterways. Their affinity with the water and the ways of boaters is clear, from the way Saffin leans on an imaginary tiller, to the swelling rhythms and rhymes of Wastie's songs.
In the second half of the show, the immersive storytelling of theatre gave way to more the upbeat, interactive mediums of poetry and song, a collection with the title Idle Women and Judies.
Many of Wastie's poems are found poems, written from fragments of phrases she has read or heard during her extensive research into the Idle Women. This means that everything mentioned - all the names, facts, experiences and confessions - come from a place of authenticity. Whether it is describing the picture of a canal at dawn, giving tips and tricks to managing the boats, or simply listing the routes taken and items delivered, the poems and songs are beautifully-wrought snapshots into the lives of the trainees. Wastie's performance is full of charm and charisma, so when she encourages you to sing along, you find yourself doing just that!
While they approach the story from different angles and through different mediums, the two performances compliment each other perfectly, and when seen together, work in unison to cover a wide range of stories and lives. Both come from a place of sensitivity and authenticity, with careful research informing both word and performance choices.
Though the show's tour is coming to an end, I would still recommend watching the video (below) to hear Saffin and Wastie's insights into the show, reading their book (complete with both the script of Isobel's War and the poems and lyrics of Idle Women and Judies) if you can get a hold of it, or checking out the list of books and resources which informed their show to learn more about the Idle Women.
Photo credits:
Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways advertisement; Kate Saffin performing from Isobel's War; Heather Wastie performing from Idle Women and Judies, all found here.
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