West Meon Theatre to recreate 1937 comedy of identity, lost and found

West Meon Theatre is bringing Welcome Home, Captain Fox! to the stage this month, based on Jean Anouilh’s Le Voyageur Sans Bagage.

Playwright Anthony Weigh updates Anouilh’s family drama to a long, hot summer on the very tip of Long Island, in the America of the late 1950s.

The story follows soldier Gene who has returned from war without his memory. He’s presented to the Fox family as their long-lost son Jack but is this the real Jack Fox?

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Welcome Home Captain Fox! by West Meon Theatre (Image: Mary Dawson)

Some familiar performers will be returning to the stage. Fi Bersford, last seen as Toad in West Meon Theatre’s summer production, is the eccentric matriarch of the Fox family. 

Katie Jacobs and Rachel Wells, who last year were baring all in Calendar Girls the Musical at Theatre Royal Winchester are keeping their clothes on this time. 

Johnny Pratt, auctioneer and expert from Flog It! and Bargain Hunt will take on the lead role of Captain Fox, with stage fighting, stage kissing, door slamming, fainting and crawling.

Johnny Pratt (front) in rehearsal (Image: Mary Dawson)

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The show is directed by Suzanne Hall who has performed, directed and choreographed for West Meon Theatre for more than 20 years. She played the title role in Nell Gwynne. She loves creating high energy, physical, comic theatre and believes Welcome Home Captain Fox is a perfect play to showcase this.

Welcome Home Captain Fox is on at West Meon Village Hall from Thursday, March 21 to Saturday, March 23. Shows start at 7.30pm with an additional matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday, March 23. Tickets cost £12 each or £40 for a group of four.

For tickets go to westmeontheatre.co.uk or call 0333 666 3366.