By Annette J Beveridge
Cast your mind back to the 1960s when good girls said no and bad girls got themselves into more trouble than they bargained for. That’s the theme of the play currently on at the Studio Theatre in Salisbury.
Be My Baby is an evocative play that encapsulates the lives of young women who find themselves in trouble and have to make a heart-rending decision that will affect their lives forever.
The play highlights one aspect of the 1960s where teenage girls had little say in whether they could keep a baby or not. Reputation and opportunities were everything. An unwanted pregnancy could ruin a girl’s future.
We were introduced to four young girls within various stages of pregnancy and despite their uncertain futures, they somehow found solace and trust in each other.
Mary (Sarah Derry) is brought to the centre by her mother Mrs Adams (Claire Martin) who is determined that her daughter will not throw her life away over this unfortunate situation. Mary is educated and has a boyfriend but left alone at the centre, she faces the final months of her pregnancy away from any family contact.
Queenie (Clare Green) comes from a different background. She is tough, and hardened to the realities of life, yet, sharing a room with Mary, a deep friendship grows.
Dolores (Lynnette Barnes) is the youngest of the group. Naïve and innocent her optimism for a happy future lifts the sadness of the situation.
Norma (George Cotterill) is educated and able but she keeps herself to herself not confiding in anyone. Eventually, she has to tell the matron what has happened and the audience sees an unexpected turn of events.
The indomitable Matron (Nikki Shepherd) must manage the girls, their emotions and their pleas to keep their babies. She shows little emotion, yet she may not be as unaffected as it seems.
The play takes us back to a time of innocence when that one mistake could be costly. The fact that the play is written about a time when babies were taken away in everyday life adds to the emotion and sensitivity of the play. With music from the 60s, it is funny, warm and heart-breaking. It’s a must-see play but perhaps, take a tissue.
Written by Amanda Whittington, the play was directed by Sophie Townsend.
The play at Studio Theatre is on until April 5 - book tickets here.
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