The Warminster School Drama Department’s production of ‘Coram Boy’ has been striking for its ambition and audacity. Based on an award-winning children’s historical novel, the story is set in the 18^th century and tells a complex tale set in two cities, Gloucester and London; it involves a household of the wealthy squirearchy and the precarious lives of those who are poor and friendless. Through extraordinary twists of fate and acts of courage - and of villainy - these two contrasting worlds become intricately entwined.

In the first half of the play, the reputation of the Coram Hospital for Foundlings in London is exploited by the sinister Otis Gardiner who cajoles young women into giving their illegitimate babies into his murderous hands. They pay Gardiner money in the misguided belief that he will convey their child straight to the safety of the Coram Hospital.

At the other end of the social scale, we encounter Alexander Ashbrook, the high-minded and musical teenage son of a wealthy squire. Alexander, like the unfortunate babies, is also at the mercy of the adult world – in this case his unimaginative and cold father, Sir William Ashbrook, who ignores Alexander’s artistic aspirations and disowns him when he is thwarted.

It is difficult to do the complexities of the plotting justice; suffice it to say that this is a story of high drama - rich with suspense, danger, romance, pathos.... and even some comedy. A theatrical saga spanning a decade, the story unfolds episodically, demanding a huge number of scene changes and sustained pace and energy from all members of the cast. Ambitious, yes; but in this case very thoroughly and confidently achieved.

There was some splendid acting talent on show. Jacob Cooper, as Alexander Ashbrook, captured well the intensity and aloofness of a young man driven by his art. He brought some laughter to the part too, with his cheek-puffing reluctance to ask a girl to dance! Andrew Langford was a most appealing Thomas Ledbury, Alexander’s musical and demonstrative friend from the other side of the tracks. His extravagant courtly bows were a delight.

Tom Batten as Otis Gardiner and the equally loathsome Phillip Gaddarn, was truly chilling, while Blair Collins-Thomas played Meshak, Gardiner’s epileptic son, most movingly. Susie Joyce brought great emotional power to the part of Lady Ashbrook, especially the scene where she pleads with her husband to let Alexander return home. So too did, Hannah Dazeley, as Mrs Lynch the Ashbrooks’ housekeeper who lives in thrall to Otis Gardiner but struggles to be free.

Special tributes too must go to the two Coram Boys who (being all of 13 themselves!) captured very well the bright-eyed liveliness of eight-year-old lads: Matthew Stone as Aaron Dangerfield and Alex Shad as Toby Gaddarn.

There were many other examples of good acting and timing and there is not space to do everyone full justice. It was impressive to see this young cast working so well together in such a complex production. Impressive too to see the professionalism of the technical team who provided the constantly changing sound effects, lighting and projected scenery.

As Mr Todres, the Head of Drama, summed up: ‘This was the most technical production the Drama Dept has ever put on..... we also spent many rehearsals working on the pace of the piece as this needed to be unrelentingly urgent if Coram Boy was going to be successful.’ Successful it certainly was. Congratulations to Mr Todres, Miss Hooper and all those who made Coram Boy such good theatre.