Lilies on the Land
We received 140 letters from former Land Girls in response to an article about the project in Saga Magazine. Many of these extraordinary letters contained photographs, which you can see here. View original WWII photos.
We also took plenty of photos while Lilies was being devised, both in our meetings with Land Girls, and in the studio. View photos of Lilies in development.
The headshots above show Pauline Whelch, in her Land Army days, and at one of our meetings.
Powerfully truthful, absolutely accessible, rich in emotion, and glowing with laughter... - Peter Cheeseman CBE
Magnificent and very moving - a lovely mixture of poignancy and humour. - Joan Clifford (WLA 0101337)
...by turns funny, moving and tragic - always a compelling insight into what it was really like to be 'on the land' - Eastbourne Today
Lilies on the Land is a remarkable piece of theatre celebrating an extraordinary episode of British history.
Inspired by over 140 letters from former Land Girls and devised by the Lion's part, Lilies on the Land charts the personal journeys of four women who signed up for the Women's Land Army in World War II.
Plunged into the role of farm labourers and from backgrounds as opposite as may be imagined, the women recall their war effort with vivacity and humour, outrage and pain. Courage and determination mix with the rigours of daily life as the women grow beyond their expectations and see new horizons.
But can they go on to reach them?
A performance we simply didn't want to end - The Sussex Herald
Lilies in the West End?
Lilies on the Land is a unique theatrical tribute to the women of the 'Forgotten Army'. For two years the production toured to the heart of local communities where it was received with passion and enthusiasm by audiences of all ages. It played to 96% capacity audiences, was extended and managed to earn its keep without subsidy.
It is our long-cherished aim to bring this wonderful production into the West End and to a wider audience. We are going to make this happen but we need your help.
If you or anyone you know can offer us support in any form for this venture, please get in touch, we would love to speak to you.
- The play is a proven success. On tour it captured the hearts of audiences nationwide and played to 96% capacity.
- We have a core audience (ex Land Girls, their associates and relatives, the agricultural communities, schools and colleges). An exclusive promotional deal with Saga Magazine, to include Gala performances and ticket deals, will target many of them.
- The play is cost-effective, beautiful in its simplicity, powerful in its narrative and created by an acclaimed theatre company associated with Shakespeare's Globe We believe in the success of this show and are passionate about bringing it to a West End audience.
Our grateful thanks to the following former Land Girls and their relatives: we have been overwhelmed by their generosity in sharing with us their memories, photos, songs, poems, and even their treasured uniforms!
Dorothy Abbott, Stuart Antrobus, Audrey M Baker, D U Ball, Norah Barnsley, Sylvia Barton, Yvonne Bazeley, Phyllis Benham, Johanna Benn, Mary Bentley, Marguerite Bettles, Charles C Bogart, Betty Bowler, Emily Braidwood, Ruby Brass, Ruth Bridge, Sheila Brooks, Daphne M Byrne, Olive Cameron-Black, Marita Carr, Brenda Chapman, Joan Clifford, Wynne Conway, Violet Cowley, Cecilia Marie Cox, R W Cundale, Joan Davies, Kathleen Devereux Craven, Eve Diet, F I Eakins, Marion Eyre, Brenda Flint, Vera-Jaye Footer, R Franklin, Lynette French, Mrs Gillman, Pauline M Godfrey, Ivy Goodall, J V Greenhowe, Winifred Griffiths, Marjorie Hall, Kathleen Harriss, Marjorie Harvey, D F Hawkes, Joan Heatley, Doreen Holliday, Mary Holmes, M G Holmes, Nesta Hoyle, Doris Jerrison, N Johnson, Frank Jolliffe, Shirley Joyner, K S Kenrick, M E Kilner, Olga King, Mary Knight, Pam Lampard, Evelyn Lavin, Lily Limbert, Elizabeth Lowe, Kate Lowe, Norah M Walls, Betty Marsh, Eileen Mayson, Pamela McDowell, Kathleen McKinnon, Mary McLelland, Ann Mehose, Kathleen Meredith, Margaret Middleton, Joan Molesworth, Nora Mollon, Jane Neave, Dorothy Nelson, Peg Newman Francis, Joan Norman, Gwen Norman, Ennis Nosko-Smith, Dorothy O'Connell, Nona Pallett, Brenda Parfitt, Jean Patterson, M Paulley, Yvonne Pearce, D M Peskett, Clare Pierson, Thora E Pitman, Dorothy W Platts, Margie Prest, Jean Prior, Gwen Rae, Doris 'Billie' Reeg, Sylvia Richards, Pamela Ruffoni, Phyllis Sharp, Mary Smith, Edna Smy, Betty Spridgeon, J Steel, Mary Stokes, Barbara Stone, June Stonebridge, Jeanette Street, M Swaffer, Ruth M Swift, Terri Taylor, Jane Thomas, Joyce M Tilley, Norah Turner, Jean Wagner, Grace Wallace, Margaret Watford, Kathleen Watson, Joyce Watson, Ruth Weaver, Jackie Webb, Daphne Webster, Margaret Wegg, Margaret West, N E Wheeler, Pauline Whelch, Peggy White, B I Wilkinson, Edna Williams, Audrey Witney, P A Woolley, and those who wrote to us without giving their name.
