Tom Kelly
The eve of Wayne's return to Iraq for another tour of duty brings the usual ritual of banter and a few drinks with Tommy, his granddad, before he leaves. But something seems not quite the same this evening.
Tommy and Wayne have both survived their contrasting experiences of the army and as they recount their tales, tonight is the night for a few secrets to be revealed.
Drawing upon the life of his father, who was a German POW in World War II, Tom Kelly beautifully captures the impact of war on both men whose experiences appear all too similar.
Nothing Like The Wooden Horse premiered at The Customs House, South Shields, in March 2009.
Read two press previews: Johnny Wilson of The Shields Gazette attended a rehearsal, and Tom Kelly talked to David Whetstone of The Journal about the play.
ISBN 978-1-906700-11-9
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Nothing like the Wooden Horse is the most recent of Tom's work to be produced by the Customs House, and was critically acclaimed. Previous productions include Baby Love; Family Ties; Five By One; I Left My Heart In Roker Park (staged three times); Secrets; Love in NE32; Ride A White Swan (staged twice); Behind the Wall; Autumn Days; and the musicals Dan Dare with music by John Miles and Tom & Catherine (with Ray Spencer) music once again by John Miles, which was staged twice and sold-out on both occasions.
He has written two community plays, Tyne Songs (with Carol Cooke) for South Tyneside MBC and The Black Hill for Blaydon Festival. In addition he wrote The Blaydon Bricklayer for the Workers' Educational Association and has been commissioned to write a new play to celebrate their centenary in October.
His next production is the musical The Machine Gunners, followed by Talking Tom, a collection of his monologues appearing at the Customs House in March before a short regional tour. Tom will be appearing in the production reading some of his highly praised poetry.
In May, choral group Encore will perform concert versions of Tom & Catherine and Dan Dare.
Over the past year he has directed with Gary Wilkinson two film documentaries Little Ireland and Jarrow Voices.
In addition to the play text, Red Squirrel have published three collections of poetry by Tom Kelly: Dreamers in a Cold Climate, Love-Lines and and Somewhere in Heaven.
"There are those occasions, albeit they are sometimes few and far between, when a theatre critic is given the opportunity to review a play that is utterly compelling, deeply affecting and hugely entertaining. Last night was one of those blessed occasions... Tom Kelly has delivered an important piece of theatre that has sincerity and honesty."
Steve Burbridge, UK Theatre Network
"It's a deeply moving piece, made more so by Kelly's trademark gentle humour... ...seems to me his best to date."
Peter Lathan, The British Theatre Guide
"Nothing Like The Wooden Horse is a compelling two-hander, beautifully written by Tom Kelly, that captures the impact of war on both men whose experiences appear all too similar but also quite different."
"Inspired by his own father's experiences, Tom Kelly's insightful and poignant look at war through the eyes of two generations is a stark reminder that there are bigger issues out there today."
"This is without doubt Tom Kelly's best work to date."