The show will be performed at Eden Camp this summer.
After hundreds of love letters between ‘Naval Sailor’ Bert Bate and ‘Brum Lass’ Betty Lane were loaned to Eden Camp by Ann Bowes (their daughter), the team at Be Amazing Arts were inspired to bring the story to life.
The immersive performance ‘Letters from Betty’ will run from 27 – 30 August at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm at Eden Camp in Malton.
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Roxanna Klimaszweska (writer and director of ‘Letters from Betty’), and James Aconley (producer and co-founder of Be Amazing Arts) have worked closely with Bert and Betty’s children – Ann, Jane, Sue and Ken – to ensure the actors are able to portray Bert and Betty’s characters truthfully and sensitively.
The cast features two professional actors and the Be Amazing Arts Young Company made up of 12-18 year olds from York, Scarborough, Ryedale and Hull.
James Aconley said: ‘‘This is a really exciting opportunity for Be Amazing Arts. We are over the moon to be working with Eden Camp on this project.
“These incredible letters really give you an insight into how it felt to be a young couple living through the Second World War.’’
The performance will follow Bert’s journey from Navy training to active duty during the war, and his growing relationship with a young Brum lass called Betty.
‘Letters from Betty’ is a promenade performance – which means the audience move to follow the performers, creating an immersive experience.
There will also be multimedia elements included into the show, with audience members wearing headsets and various films will be shown throughout the performance.
Roxanna Klimaszewska said, ‘‘It’s a total pleasure and honour to be working with these amazing letters, between two young people, writing with love, of their hopes for their future together, whilst knowing of the horrors and hardships they were both witnessing and facing.
“Betty’s endless devotion, writing almost everyday, was as Bert put it ‘a god-send.’’’
For more information and to book your tickets, please visit the Eden Camp website.