Lennox Children's Cancer Fund
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Case Studies
    • History
    • Testimonials
    • Who's Who
  • Get Support
    • About Childhood Cancer
    • Care Grants >
      • Help With Travel Costs
    • Emotional Support
    • Hospital Assistance
    • Respite Breaks >
      • Amberwood Lodge
      • Seabreeze Caravan
      • Lennox Retreat
      • Availability Calendar
  • Get Involved
    • Challenges >
      • 90 Minute Dash
      • Bungee Jump
      • London Marathon
      • London Santa Run
      • Skydive
      • Vitality Big Half Marathon
    • Events >
      • Zero2Hero Boxing
    • Fundraising Ideas >
      • 50:50 Competition
      • Collections
      • MovieMayhem
      • Name the Cuddly Toy
      • Organising Your Own Event
      • Ten Day Challenge
      • Ten Quick and Simple Ideas
    • Other Ways To Support >
      • Charitable Bookings
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Declutter and Donate
      • Donate In Lieu of Flowers
      • Foreign Coins
      • Legacies
      • Payroll Giving
      • Stem Cell Donation
      • The Weather Lottery
      • Used Stamps
    • Printable Literature
    • Productions
  • News
  • Donate
    • Gift Aid >
      • Gift Aid Declaration
  • Contact Us
    • Recruitment
    • Volunteering
  • Shop
Picture
Picture
Keep The Home Fires Burning was Lennox Productions' eighth musical at the Queen's Theatre, following in the footsteps of Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof and Honk!

The audience joined our talented cast for this special celebration show to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, and to remember those who gave their lives for our country. As the audience entered the theatre, they were given a Union Jack flag and encouraged to join in throughout the show by singing along and waving their flags with pride. It was a show to commemorate the past and celebrate the future, and for many of the older audience members, a chance to remember loved ones lost.

About The Show...
Keep The Home Fires Burning was a review show that told the stories of towns and families from Europe and America during the Second World War. It showcased war songs, show tunes, comedy and comic sketches including We'll Meet Again', 'Pack Up Your Troubles', 'Run Rabbit' and 'Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler'.

Whilst most of the songs were from the war era, the show also incorporated a selection of songs from shows and films that were also around during the 1930s and 1940s including 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow', 'Oklahoma' and 'Me and My Girl'. The show was devised by David Macklin many years ago and we would like to thank him sincerely for allowing us to tell this heartfelt story. A full song and sketch list is below.

The Cast...
The show is performed by a large amateur cast made up of volunteers from the local community. The cast ages range from 4 years old to 74 years old, but everyone, of every age, has put in maximum effort to learn the songs and dances, and deliver a fantastic performance. The dedicated production team also volunteer their time to ensure a high quality show every time.

Thank Yous...
There are many people who work tirelessly behind the scenes for 10 months to make sure our shows are at the same high standard year after year. Thank you to everybody who dedicated time, money and skills to making this show the success that it was.

Thank you to the adult cast for their hard work and patience, and the younger cast for their impeccable behaviour - and for being so patient with the adults! Thank you especially to Gill Horne and Crownfield Junior School for letting the cast take over the school hall 2-3 times each week to rehearse.

The show would never have been possible without the wonderful production team so; thank you to Gemma Fitzmaurice for the many hours she has dedicated to making this show a success, to Rachel Watson for her inspired choreography, to Natalie Thurlow for her musical talent and to Liz Gibson and Allen Clark for their visionary direction, commitment and patience. 

Picture
Finally, thank you to everyone who came to see the show and supported Lennox Productions and Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund.

The Hummingbirds...
The Hummingbirds are a 1930s and 1940s close harmony trio, singing notalgic songs in the style of The Andrews Sisters. They kicked off our show week with a fabulous performance in the theatre foyer on Tuesday 12th May 2015. The Hummingbirds, Cathy Edkins, Jenny Ewington and Jill Luff are all trained singers from Essex.
 Thank you to The Hummingbirds and everyone who came to see them.

Photo Gallery...
The following photos were taken and edited by Cameron Baxter during the dress rehearsal. Thank you very much to Cameron for volunteering his time and skills!

Picture
Reviews...
Hornchurch Life said "There was a very large age range and having the children involved really showed how the war affected everyone in so many different ways... Some of my favourite parts of the night included their renditions of ‘There’s A Hole In My Bucket’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again’... it is a night of memories and celebration... I highly recommend you go and see it before it closes".

An audience member put a photo on Facebook with the caption "Auntie Elsie at 94 after seeing a matinee performance of Keep the Home Fires Burning for Lennox Childrens Cancer charity at Hornchurch Queen's Theatre - laughing, crying, reminiscing and flag waving....great show!"

You can read the full review on their website:  http://www.hornchurchlife.co.uk/arts/theatre/theatre-reviews/review-of-keep-the-fire-burning-at-the-queens-theatre/

Songs and Sketches...
  • Pack Up Your Troubles - Male Ensemble
  • Soldier Lad/Keep The Home Fires Burning - Adult Ensemble
  • We’ll Meet Again - Jane Lloyd, Adult Ensemble and Children
  • This Is The Army Mr Jones - Paul Roberts, Oliver Hayes, Richard Foster, James Foale and Michael Johnson
  • Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler - David Cormack, Lee Giles, Gerry Sherlock, Vincent Fitzmaurice, Ray Bocking and John Little
  • Lilli Marlene - Theresa Rubin
  • Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Adult Ensemble and Children
  • I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas - Adult Ensemble and Children
  • I’ll Be Seeing You - Patricia McLean, Val Taylor, Jan Hartley and Gemma Fitzmaurice
  • Goodbye - Female Ensemble
  • Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye - Children
  • Goodbye - Female Ensemble and Children
  • Run Rabbit - Richard Foster, David Cormack and Male Ensemble
  • Strollin’ - Richard Foster, David Cormack and Male Ensemble
  • Maybe It’s Because I’m A Londoner - Male Ensemble
  • I Belong To Glasgow - Michael Johnson and Male Ensemble
  • If You're Irish - Oliver Haise and Male Ensemble
  • We’ll Keep A Welcome In The Hillside - Male Ensemble
  • Gert And Daisy Sketch - Gemma Fitzmaurice and Patricia McLean
  • I’ll See You Again - Rachel Watson
  • Something About A Soldier - Claire Nichols and Laura Mugford
  • White Cliffs Of Dover - Nicola Thorpe
  • The Sun Has Got His Hat On - Richard Foster, James Foale and Adult Ensemble
  • Me And My Girl - Lee Giles and Gemma Fitzmaurice
  • Love Makes The World Go Round - Lee Giles and Richard Foster
  • Lambeth Walk - Gill Horne, Adult Ensemble and Children
  • The Farmer And The Cowman - Adult Ensemble and Children
  • People Will Say We’re In Love - Rachel Watson and James Foale
  • I Can’t Say No - Diane Perrett, Gill Horne, Val Taylor and Theresa Rubin
  • Oklahoma - Richard Foster, Adult Ensemble and Children
  • Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - Ella Dixon, Rachel Watson and Nicola Thorpe
  • Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree - Ella Dixon, Rachel Watson, Nicola Thorpe, Lee Giles, James Foale and Michael Johnson
  • Follow The Yellow Brick Road - Mia Brown and Children
  • Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Phoebe Gray, Children and Adult Ensemble
  • Red Roses For A Blue Lady - David Cormack, Laura Mugford and Oliver Haise
  • Easter Bonnet - Female Ensemble and Children
  • I Got Plenty Of Nothing - Adult Ensemble, Rachel Watson and Michael Johnson
  • I Got Rhythm - Ella Dixon and Adult Ensemble
  • There’s A Hole In My Bucket - Gemma Fitzmaurice, Vincent Fitzmaurice and James Foale
  • Flower Garden - Claire Nichols, Claire Bull, Rachel Watson, Hannah Hayes, Gill Horne, Laura Mugford and Lindsey Horne
  • Six Little Broken Blossoms - Val Taylor, Mavis Sherlock, Patricia McLean, Jan Hartley, Theresa Rubin and Jane Lloyd
  • Busy Bee - Diane Perrett
  • A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square - Hannah Hayes
  • ‘A’ You're Adorable - Lee Giles and Children
  • Joyce Grenfell Sketch - Jan Hartley
  • There’ll Always Be An England - Vincent Fitzmaurice and Male Ensemble
  • Keep The Home Fires Burning/Soldier Lad - Adult Ensemble
  • Rule Britannia - James Foale and Adult Ensemble
  • Land Of Hope And Glory - Adult Ensemble and Children
PicturePhoto by Kelly Davison-Lacey
Show Sponsors...
Thank you to The Bank of Nova Scotia and it’s staff, who are pleased to support Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund. ‘We wish you every success with the show!’

Costume Sponsors...
Pearly Queen costume - sponsored by Sue Crossman of Rise Park, Romford

Fran & Etti’s 1940’s costumes - sponsored by G & V Fitzmaurice
‘Have a great show girls’ love Mummy and Daddy xx

Jane Lloyd’s costumes - sponsored by the Lloyd family

Pearly King costume - sponsored by Jean Saunders of Rainham
‘Happy to support the Lennox’

Jena Webb’s costume - sponsored by Fleur Webb
‘Good Luck Jena, our darling, you are having a ball. Lots of Love of love Mum & Kaci xx'

John Little’s costumes - sponsored by Mrs Joan Little of Hornchurch

PicturePhoto by Theresa Rubin-Allen
Child’s 1940’s costume - sponsored by Jan Hartley
‘Well done to all the children in the show, you are all stars’

Henry’s costume - sponsored by Liza
'with love xx'

Bumble Bee costume - sponsored by Mr & Mrs D Neagle of Upminster

Ray Bocking’s costume - sponsored by R Bocking

To everyone who sponsored a costume, raised money and made donations, thank you very much for your kind support.

Rehearsal Trailer...
Adult Cast
Rachel Barton
Ray Bocking
Claire Bull
David Cormack
Ella Dixon
Gemma Fitzmaurice
Vincent Fitzmaurice
James Foale
Richard Foster
Lee Giles
Oliver Haise
Jan Hartley
Hannah Hayes
Gill Horne
Lindsey Horne
Michael Johnson
John Little
Jane Lloyd
Patricia McLean
Laura Mugford
Claire Nichols
Diane Perrett
Paul Roberts
Theresa Rubin
Gerry Sherlock
Mavis Sherlock
Nicola Thorpe
Rachel Watson

Also Starring
Val Taylor
Picture
Young Cast
Darcie Brown
Mia Brown
Katie Darby
Sophie Anne Darby
Francesca Fitzmaurice
Harriet Fitzmaurice
Isabelle Mugford
Jessica Mugford
Phoebe Gray
Jena Webb

Orchestra:
Conductor
Natalie Thurlow
Pianist
Rachael Pluckett
Double Bass
Bob Veale
Violin
Caron Hiscock
Trumpet
Jemma Andrews
Percussion
Phil Stevenson

Artistic Directors
Liz Gibson
Allen Clark

Musical Director
Natalie Thurlow

Choreographer
Rachel Watson

Stage Manager
Kate Smith

Assistant Stage Manager
Lee Pierson

Flyman
Jack Eaton

Floor Crew
Harrison Smith
Barbara Cormack

Follow Spots
Daniel Galvin-Law
Carrie Hennessy

Production Coordinator
Gemma Fitzmaurice

Wardrobe
Carol White

Wardrobe Assistants
Theresa Rubin-Allen
Talia Donoghue
Lilly Kennedy

Costumes
Stage Costume
Caggs Creations

Hair and Make Up
Jo Brown
Kelly Davison-Lacey
Amanda Thurlow

Sound
Event Sound & Light

Mics
Michael White

Scenery
The Queen's Theatre

Props
Mo Jones
Norma Jones

Cloths
Paul Lazell

Photography
Cameron Baxter

Programme &
Poster Design
Alan Foale

Chaperones
Mark Brown
Michelle Brown
Fleur Webb
Pat Campbell
Zoe Gray
Eleanor Barton

Programme Sellers
Joan Little

Company

About Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Useful Links
Employees

Contact

26 Hemmells,
Laindon, Basildon,
Essex SS15 6ED
Tel: 01708 734366
​Email: info@lennoxccf.org.uk

Follow Us

Picture
Registered charity in England and Wales (1011325)