Playwright Wood tells of a grandfather, the POW, who survived the notorious Changi prison complex. He lives with his granddaughter, the Girl, in working-class northern London.
It’s a time of fast-moving change in Britain: Video games and punk rock have revolutionized pop culture. Women have made their way into the work force in great numbers — notably the strong-willed Margaret Thatcher, who has just taken the helm of the United Kingdom.
Despite the charge of modernization in the ’80s, mental health treatment remains in its adolescence. Little is known in particular regarding treatment of veterans with posttraumatic stress syndrome — at the time often referred to by its historic name, shell shock.
Haunted by memories of the war and his former life in London, the POW exhibits classic symptoms of PTSD. He grapples with his demons at the same time he has thrust upon him the responsibility of supporting and protecting his granddaughter, a college student. The pair are left alone after the sudden death of the Girl’s mother, his daughter.
The Girl looks to her future, full of hopes and dreams. The POW remains wounded and embittered. The challenges are great for both characters and their familial relationship. Wood’s drama suggests that war trauma is not just relegated to veterans but can be indiscriminately passed down through the generations.
Full of humor and heart, “The POW and the Girl” unveils the extraordinary courage and resilience demonstrated by families who find a way through the harrowing maze of PTSD.
“The POW and the Girl” marks Katrina Wood’s first departure from creating stage musicals. The work is a highly personal “labor of love” for Wood, who grew up in Britain as the daughter of a former POW who spent four years in the Changi prison system.
Wood’s L.A. theater credits include the recent “Spindle City: The Lizzie Borden Musical” and the crowd favorite “Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwad,” an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.”
Returning to collaborate with Wood are “The POW” lead actor Chas Mitchell and director Trace Oakley. Mitchell played Scrooge in the Christmas musical and Andrew Borden in “Lizzie Borden.” Oakley directed both “Bob Cratchit” and “Lizzie Borden.”
“The POW and the Girl” debuts at the Sherry Theater in North Hollywood in late January 2019 and runs through mid-February. The drama runs 80 minutes.
- Read about Katrina Wood, her POW father and the story behind the story.
Press:
> Broadway World article
> Tolucan Times review
> NoHo Arts District theater review
> Theater Spoken Here review