Hope in the rubble - Playbox Theatre's powerful production of Goodnight Mister Tom

In rehearsals for Goodnight Mister Tom. Photo courtesy of Playbox Theatre.

Goodnight Mister Tom, adapted for the stage by David Wood. At the Dream Factory, Warwick from 25 – 28 September.

Preview

Playbox Theatre launches its 2025 Autumn Season with a major new production of Michelle Magorian’s acclaimed novel Goodnight Mister Tom, adapted for the stage by David Wood. The production runs at The Dream Factory, Warwick, from 25 – 28 September.

Goodnight Mister Tom is one of the most beloved children’s stories of the 20th century. It tells the story of young William Beech, an eight-year-old boy evacuated from London during the Second World War, who is placed in the care of the reclusive widower Tom Oakley. Against a backdrop of loss and upheaval, the two form an unlikely bond of love, healing, and resilience.

The enduring importance of works like Magorian’s has recently been highlighted by author Sir Michael Morpurgo, who urged children’s writers not to “sugar coat” war. He cited Goodnight Mister Tom as a superb example of literature that helps young people understand the sadness and cost of conflict, while also discovering hope within it.

Rehearsals for Goodnight Mister Tom. Photo courtesy of Playbox Theatre.

A cinema re-imagined: Playbox’s Founding Director Mary King directs this new production, re-setting the play inside a 1930s British fleapit cinema. During the Second World War, cinemas were briefly closed due to bombing fears, but public demand led to their swift reopening. This production immerses audiences in the spirit and community of that era, far removed from today’s multiplexes. The cast features Dylan Somanathan as Mister Tom, Teddy Travis as William, Hannah Keyte as William’s mother, and Ben Foulerton, as his best friend Zack, alongside a strong ensemble of Playbox performers. Designs inspired by the period are created by Commedia, with lighting and sound by Richard Cooper.

About the novel: Magorian’s novel has been translated into over eleven languages, adapted for screen and radio, and has won multiple awards, including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. David Wood’s acclaimed stage adaptation brings its emotional depth and humanity to the stage for audiences of all ages.

Rehearsals at The Dream Factory. Photo courtesy of Playbox Theatre.

Looking ahead: Goodnight Mister Tom opens a Playbox season rich in drama and spectacle, followed by a visceral new staging of Sophocles’ Electra, and this Christmas, a spectacular musical production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

Playbox continues to deliver an ambitious training and performance programme across Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Kenilworth, alongside international projects including a recent residency in Tokyo. Entering its 40th year, Playbox Theatre has grown from its roots in Leek Wootton into a globally recognised company with its own state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick.

Tickets available now at www.playboxtheatre.com