A romantic, funny and very touching portrait of life during the early 1940s featuring readings of wartime letters between Oscar-nominated actress Celia Johnson (Brief Encounter) and her explorer and writer husband Peter Fleming (brother of James Bond creator Ian Fleming). Peter Fleming was posted to India and the Far East during the war ‘as far away as the moon’ working for Military Intelligence.

‘…this intimate and simply spellbinding performance…..revealing an abundance of love and affection between ordinary people caught in extraordinary times…. a theatrical gem’. British Theatre Guide.

‘…..a lovely, love filled, heart-warming evening….as welcoming and nourishing as you could possibly want…..don’t miss this, it’s a genuine treasure’ Bristol 24/7 – January 2018

The letters are read by their daughter Lucy Fleming (Miranda in The Archers, Survivors) and her husband Simon Williams (Justin in The Archers, EastEnders, Upstairs Downstairs) and are full of love and warmth. We get an insight into a young mother’s life whose husband has gone to war and hear how Celia coped with a large isolated house packed with evacuated children, rationing, learning to drive a tractor, becoming an auxiliary police woman in Henley-on-Thames and holidays in Cornwall surfing. And there are lots of behind-the-scenes stories too. Throughout this time Celia was accepting acting jobs working with David Lean and Noel Coward, and making propaganda films, which lead to her starring role in the classic film Brief Encounter in 1945.

I had lunch with Mr Coward who read me his new film that he wants me to be in. There is no getting away from the fact that it is a very good part and one I should like to play….It’s about a woman, married and with two children who meets by chance a man in a railway waiting room and they fall in love…… And It’s All No Good. October 2nd 1944

Doors open at 18.30, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS UNFORTUNATELY BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS HEALTH SCARE. WE HOPE TO RESCHEDULE LATER IN THE YEAR. ADVANCE TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE REFUNDED.