11 episodes
Kisses on a Postcard A musical by Terence Frisby
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- Music
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4.9 • 38 Ratings
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It is 1940. Two boys from London, Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, are being evacuated to escape German bombing. They end up in Cornwall, where they spend the next four years.
The intensely moving musical by Terence Frisby tells the unforgettable story of those boys and their "second childhood". Full of surprising humour and memorable songs, this is a unique portrait of an extraordinary time in British history.
"Enchanting, profoundly moving and delightful," Charles Spencer, the Telegraph.
Starring John Owen-Jones, Katie Secombe, Rosie Cavaliero, Marcia Warren, Evie Hoskins, Ian Virgo, James Clyde, Peter Temple and others.
kisses.substack.com
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Part 10: The Finale. It's Not Fair and Don't Be Late
The big finale. GIs depart for D-Day, leaving Elsie pregnant. Meanwhile, Auntie Rose and Uncle Jack learn some terrible news about their son, Gwyn. Jack and Terry return home to London.
Starring John Owen-Jones, Katy Secombe, Evie Hoskins, Brandon McGuiness and Frankie Joel-Celoni . Adapted, directed and produced by Dominic Frisby.
Order original Kisses on a Postcard CDs here.
Kisses on a Postcard, the intensely moving musical by Terence Frisby, tells the story of two boys in WWII - Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, who, to escape German bombing, are evacuated from their family in south-east London to a tiny village in Cornwall, where they spend the next four years.
Full of surprising humour and memorable songs, this is unique portrait of an extraordinary time in British history.
“Enchanting, profoundly moving and delightful,” Charles Spencer, the Telegraph.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kisses.substack.com -
Part 9: Jack and Terry Fight
Terry comes top of the whole school. Jack and Terry fight. Elsie is seduced by one of the GIs
Includes the songs You’re Not Thick, Country Bumpkins and Sweet Nightingale.
Starring Katy Secombe, Lance Ellington and Evelyn Hoskins. Adapted, directed and produced by Dominic Frisby.
Order original Kisses on a Postcard CDs here.
Kisses on a Postcard, the intensely moving musical by Terence Frisby, tells the story of two boys in WWII - Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, who, to escape German bombing, are evacuated from their family in south-east London to a tiny village in Cornwall, where they spend the next four years.
Full of surprising humour and memorable songs, this is unique portrait of an extraordinary time in British history.
“Enchanting, profoundly moving and delightful,” Charles Spencer, the Telegraph.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kisses.substack.com -
Part 8: The Yanks Are Coming
Soldiers come to the village. There is a camp concert. 5-year old Teddy Willis is killed. Terry gets caned. Then the Americans arrive. A whole regiment of black GIs.
Includes the songs Sweet Sixteen, Bless ‘Em All and Got Any Gum, Chum?
Starring John Owen-Jones, Katy Secombe, Brandon McGuiness and Frankie Joel-Celoni. Adapted, directed and produced by Dominic Frisby.
Order original Kisses on a Postcard CDs here.
Kisses on a Postcard, the intensely moving musical by Terence Frisby, tells the story of two boys in WWII - Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, who, to escape German bombing, are evacuated from their family in south-east London to a tiny village in Cornwall, where they spend the next four years.
Full of surprising humour and memorable songs, this is unique portrait of an extraordinary time in British history.
“Enchanting, profoundly moving and delightful,” Charles Spencer, the Telegraph.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kisses.substack.com -
Part 7: The Bombing of Plymouth
The Germans bomb Plymouth. Jack, Terry and Auntie Rose take shelter in a subway. Plus the meaning of “dreckly” - Cornish for mañana.
Includes the songs Abide with Me and There’s a War On.
Starring John Owen-Jones, Katy Secombe, Brandon McGuiness and Frankie Joel-Celoni. Adapted, directed and produced by Dominic Frisby.
Order original Kisses on a Postcard CDs here.
Kisses on a Postcard, the intensely moving musical by Terence Frisby, tells the story of two boys in WWII - Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, who, to escape German bombing, are evacuated from their family in south-east London to a tiny village in Cornwall, where they spend the next four years.
Full of surprising humour and memorable songs, this is unique portrait of an extraordinary time in British history.
“Enchanting, profoundly moving and delightful,” Charles Spencer, the Telegraph.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kisses.substack.com -
Part 6: No One Was Clever, Boy
Terry misses out on a circus trip. Rommel is defeated in North Africa at El Alamein. And Terry and Jack learn about Uncle Jack’s experiences in the trenches in WWI.
Includes the songs Come All Ye Jolly Tinner Boys, the Ash Grove and Hole in Ground.
Starring John Owen-Jones, Simon Thomas, Brandon McGuiness and Frankie Joel-Celoni. Adapted, directed and produced by Dominic Frisby.
Order original Kisses on a Postcard CDs here.
Kisses on a Postcard, the intensely moving musical by Terence Frisby, tells the story of two boys in WWII - Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, who, to escape German bombing, are evacuated from their family in south-east London to a tiny village in Cornwall, where they spend the next four years.
Full of surprising humour and memorable songs, this is unique portrait of an extraordinary time in British history.
“Enchanting, profoundly moving and delightful,” Charles Spencer, the Telegraph.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kisses.substack.com -
Part 5: The Big Fight
Jack saves Terry’s life in the lead up to the big showdown between the Vackies and village kids.
Includes the song England’s Bells.
Starring John Owen-Jones, Brandon McGuiness, Frankie Joel-Celoni and James Clyde. Adapted, directed and produced by Dominic Frisby.
Order original Kisses on a Postcard CDs here.
Kisses on a Postcard, the intensely moving musical by Terence Frisby, tells the story of two boys in WWII - Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, who, to escape German bombing, are evacuated from their family in south-east London to a tiny village in Cornwall, where they spend the next four years.
Full of surprising humour and memorable songs, this is unique portrait of an extraordinary time in British history.
“Enchanting, profoundly moving and delightful,” Charles Spencer, the Telegraph.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kisses.substack.com
Customer Reviews
Thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.
Beautiful, heartwarming, heartbreaking at times & gives a new perspective on the mindset of those who survived the Second World War and what happened in our societies afterwards. Thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.
Just lovely
Exactly that
Destined To Become A Modern Classic!
There are a few classic staples in the rich tapestry of musical productions, be they in movie or theatrical format, that enter the realm of traditional family entertainment that holds a cherished place in the hearts of so many, charming generation after generation. Original productions that are enjoyed time and again by the whole family - such as "The Sound Of Music", "The Wizard Of Oz" and "Oliver!" to name a few - and instead of growing stale with each passing year, their endearing vintage just becomes more enchanting each time they are revisited.
Here in the 21st century, in the vein of that tradition and art form, I believe we have founf the first "future classic" to appear in audio format, namely the modern phenomenon that is the podcast.
The late Terence Frisby's original play "Kisses On A Postcard" has been given a musical makeover, having been adapted, directed and produced by his son Dominic Frisby. And what a job he has done! "Kisses" is a wonderful piece of work, one in which all the passion and love for the project shines through. Set in the 1940s, it is the true autobiographical tale of a young Terence Frisby, told through his perspective as young seven year old boy, who along with his eleven year old brother Jack, is evacuated from London to go and stay with strangers in London in order to escape German bombing during the Second World War.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable production, one in which you embark on the remarkable journey together with the two uprooted young boys and share in their adventures. There is so much packed in here - humour, sadness, happiness, fear, joy, heartbreak, love...all wonderfully expressed with memorable musical moments and captivating dramatic performances. Even if the idea of a "musical" generally turns you off, I urge you not to pass this gem up based on just that criteria alone. The musical performances are by no means overdone, and the balance is just right in that the music perfectly supports the drama. Rather, I would say that this is a play that features music as opposed to a musical concert that uses short dramatic interludes clumsily shoehorned in as an artificial segue to loosely connect a bunch of songs.
The acting performances are enough to keep you emotionally invested in each character, particularly those of Katie Secombe and John Owen-jones as Auntie Rose and Uncle Jack (though admittedly that may just be the Welsh bias in me!). The writing is kept simple and the emotional impact is stronger for it. No spoilers, but there is a certain moment involving young Teddy Willis that is delivered initially in such a sparse-like manner, that it punches you in the gut in a hugely effective way.
The story, as emotionally captivating that it is, is beautiful in it's simplicity and charming in it's innocence, perfectly capturing the spirit of 1940s Britain. It is a remarkable tale made all the more fascinating in that it is actually a true story.
Ultimately, this delightful and moving production gives a unique first-person account of an unimaginably difficult time set in horrible cicumstances, yet emerges as a genuine feel-good story, a heartwarming musical memoir of humanity and kindness.
"Kisses On A Postcard" by Terence Frisby is highly recommended!