The title sounds like a formal but personal closure to a written letter, and that indeed is the
key to this original drama, written and told by Ed Saunders-Lee.
Rightly so too as the story surrounds discovered letters from WWII written on the stage by
the author’s step-grandson passionately performed, complete with props and costumes. The
story surrounds a young John Cox who broke his university studies in 1942 to sign up to HM
Forces. Because he spoke a bit German, he was assigned to Churchill’s Secret Army, the
SOE or ‘the Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare’. Their task was to parachute behind enemy
lines and support the resistance in France while communicating back to base discreetly
how the Third Reich was doing while trying to mess up their progress. Operation Jedburgh
had one motto, Surprise, Kill, Vanish.
In this small intimate theatre of The Studio at Space Triplex in Hill Street the effects of
sound and light changes are extremely effective as designed by the 20-year experience of
Daniel Hill. Ed was here before in his school days and even knew what studio space to
pitch for, comfortable and with the audience on three sides. The parachute drop becomes
believable as is how affects young John. By writing home he cannot even use names or
reveal where he is in what must be the hardest letter he has ever written.
Further adventures are to follow and this time a drop behind enemy lines in Burma reveals
new challenges. John survives though, finds love, writes home, writes to lost colleagues
and loved ones and returns home for the story's conclusion.
The actor Ed delivers with emotion, gripping the viewer back to a time of heroism and
service. The piece is well-structured, and uncluttered and deserves great praise. I could see a six-part Netflix series or a feature film with just the right content and determination.
This short Fringe run is surely just the start.
This show has been rated ☆☆☆☆
I Am Yours Sincerely ran at TheSpace Triplex until the 10th of August.
Further information: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/i-am-yours-sincerely
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