Derek Webb: "100 Minutes" (2020)

Description

Lede
In 2012, the centenary of the first flight from Britain to Ireland was commemorated with a
play, which itself made the journey across the Irish Sea from Pembrokeshire to Wexford.

Story
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first flight from Britain to Ireland by Denys Corbett Wilson in April 1912, many activities were planned in Fishguard and Enniscorthy for the weekend of 20 to 22 April, 2012 including exhibitions, the publication of a new book, the unveiling of 100th anniversary plaques and memorials, flypasts and an aerobatic display. In Fishguard, Theatr Gwaun, local schools, St Mary’s Hall, Fishguard Bay Hotel, Phoenix Centre, Lota Park, Sea Scouts Hall, Goodwick Brass Band and hundreds of local people all got involved.

In addition, as part of these commemorations, I was commissioned to write a stage play based on the historic flight. The plan was to perform the play in Theatre Gwaun, close to where Corbett Wilson took off for Ireland, and then in Wexford at the Arts Centre. For financial considerations, the cast had to be kept small and the set needed to be easily transportable.

The design of the set was entrusted to Headstrong Productions who are based at Trinity College Carmarthen. and they came up with the idea of forming a backdrop based on two Bleriot aeroplane wings against which the action would take place.

Very early on I decided to call the play 100 minutes, being the time it took for the flight, and to make the performance last the same amount of time. Of necessity, other than Corbett Wilson himself, each actor had to play multiple roles, including Corbett Wilson’s mother, a mechanic, other airmen, a reporter, farmer and more – all of which called for actors with great versatility.

The cast was Nick Richards, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Huw Richards and Jessica Sandry. Nick Richards' stage credits include Tom Stoppard's 'Arcadia' at the Duke of York theatre in the West End, 'The Turn of the Screw' at Bristol Old Vic and several Shakespeare productions, as well as appearances on East Enders and other television series. Huw Richards and Gerry Fitzpatrick had worked together before in several productions including Dylan Thomas' 'The Doctor and the Devils'. Jessica Sandry had toured extensively with a one woman show 'Being Doris Day' and with several renowned theatre companies including the award-winning Hijinx Theatre Company.

Some very fast costume and character changes were obviously needed and the cast did wonderfully. Many audience members I’m sure were convinced that we had a far larger cast than we actually did!
The play begins in a cottage in Bethune, France, during the First World War where Corbett-Wilson was stationed as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. He relates his Irish Sea crossing to his fellow pilots and his tale becomes the core of the play, leaving Wales the end of Act 1 and arriving for the second act.

The play concludes with his death – he was killed on a reconnaissance flight over enemy lines in May 1915 – and several members of the audience shed a tear at Jessica Sandry’s portrayal of his mother receiving the news of her son’s death.

The play - which marks both an important milestone in connections between Wales and Ireland and the tragedy of a life cut short by war - was extremely well received in both Fishguard and Wexford.