After its rave reviews and New Writing award at Edinburgh Fringe, Glenn Chandler’s new play The Good Scout has won another round of plaudits and an OffWestEnd.com nomination on its London transfer to Above the Stag Theatre, where it continues until 2 November. We’ve rounded up the review highlights. Time to get booking!
Inspired by extraordinary true events: The Good Scout is a story of espionage, Scout’s honour and forbidden love. In the 1930s, Baden-Powell and Von Ribbentrop, Hitler’s ambassador, decreed that British Boy Scouts and Hitler Youth should learn from one another.
Terri Paddock chairs a post-show Q&A at The Good Scout on 29 October 2019
In Bassington, England, the local troop play host to a cycling party of Hitlerjugend – but are the German boys cyclists or “spyclists”? For Will and Jacob, two Rover Scouts on the cusp of manhood, it is a visit that will change their lives forever.
Written and directed by Glenn Chandler, The Good Scout had its sell-out previews at Above the Stag before premiering at The Space at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, where it won the ScotsGay Magazine award for Best New Writing.
In London, Charlie Mackay, Clemente Lohr, Simon Stache, Amanda Bailey and Lewis Allcock reprise their roles from Edinburgh alongside newcomer Daniel Cornish, who has been nominated for an OffWestEnd.com Award for his performance as Rover Scout Will Parrish.
#Offies #NewNoms for “The Good Scout” from Boys of the Empire Prodns @boteproductions at Above the Stag @abovethestag : MALE PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY Daniel Cornish @DanielCornish96 – congratulations! pic.twitter.com/yQiOGaV4Kr
— OffWestEnd / The Offies (@OffWestEndCom) October 16, 2019
One of my favourite plays this year – #TheGoodScout back @abovethestag until November 2. By @glennchandler with a superb cast. @boteproductions @DanielCornish96 @LewisAllcock @MandTweets @clemente_lohr @StacheSimon @Charlie88079071 pic.twitter.com/T92RXlBd6p
— David Guest (@RevWhoGuest) October 13, 2019
Show photos
New London production photography by PBG Studios.
Review highlights
From Edinburgh
Greg Stewart: “Much more than a history lesson, The Good Scout exemplifies what the Edinburgh Fringe is all about, an unusual but captivating storyline which both amuses and entertains, and which showcases some extraordinary acting talent.”
Robin Strapp: “The whole cast are strong, totally convincing, giving impressive performances in what is a fascinating slice of history. This is a highly enjoyable production that should be on your ‘to see’ list.”
Taylor Crockett: “The Good Scout illuminates a very largely forgotten corner of our national history, and reveals itself to be relevant in a number of ways… You will also be richly entertained and drawn into the plot.”
Jamie Dunn: “The four leads are excellent, but special mention should go to Simon Stache, who’s heartbreaking one minute as Friedrich, a reluctant Nazi terrified of going back home, and outrageously flamboyant the next as French premier Édouard Daladier.”
