Land girls comedy to go on show in region

York-based Badapple Theatre Company, a non-profit company established by Kate Bramley, will take its Back to the Land Girls play to Penistone Paramount Theatre on Thursday, May 27.

Back to the Land Girls is a comedy that follows the wartime experience of characters Buff and Biddy, two girls who move to the North Yorkshire countryside to work in agriculture.

Ms Bramley, who directed and wrote the play, interviewed 17 women who moved from cities to the country during the war to get ideas for the project.

She said: "These women are an absolute inspiration. Many of them were brought up in cities such as Leeds and Liverpool, and were forced to move to the countryside at a young age where they worked their socks off.

"Some of the women had to plough the fields, others were rat catchers, and some worked on farms milking the cows. They really did work hard."

Badapple Theatre Company is on a two-month tour of the UK.

Ms Bramley said: "As a small theatre company, the main aim we have is to provide entertainment to local communities.

"But I would be delighted if Back to the Land Girls makes people sit up and realise just what an important role these women played in wartime Britain."

The play at Penistone Paramount Theatre starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost 7.50 for adults and 6 for concessions.

As Badapple Theatre Company is a non-profit company, money from sales goes towards covering the wages of the professional actresses, hiring venues and publicity. For more information visit www.badappletheatre.com