Yesterday evening we went along to a fabulous piece of theatre at a neighbouring village – the wonderfully named Grewelthorpe. What we saw was a one woman show. Devised, written and performed by Jenny Lockyer, an enthusiastic audience learnt all about the early life of aviator Amy Johnson, and about her astonishing solo flight in 1930 from England to Australia in an open cockpit Gypsy Moth bi-plane whom she called Jason, and who had (voiced by her) a role in the play. English readers – if Amy Johnson: Last Flight Out comes to a community centre or theatre near you, seize the opportunity to go and see it.
Waiting for the performance to begin, I took this indifferent snap of the audience, their shadows projected onto the stage beyond.

For Brian’s Last on the Card.

The featured image of Amy Johnson is in the public domain.
It sounds a treat.
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It truly was. She made Amy come alive.
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Wow. I love this type of thing. Hope she brings it our way!
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I do too. She’s based in Yorkshire, but clearly travels far and wide with her piece.
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Sounds like an excellent production!
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It was marvellous. So well imagined and put together.
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This kind of thing never happens when we’re there xx
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You have to know where to look. Not easy from your kind of distance.xx
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Oh, thats a good shot. I love drama like this in smaller venues.
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They’re often astonishingly good value, and ‘different’.
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Yes, indeed. I used to go to a lot of pub theatre in London with ‘resting actors’ really professional productions and within spitting range!
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No spitting last night. We’re far too genteel in this corner of N. Yorks!
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Sounds like a Great Production!
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Honestly, it was wonderful. Only props? One chair and one hatstand!
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Fantastic!
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I like this kind of minimalist theatre.
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So do I. It’s astonishing what one (or few, anyway) can do with no changes of costume apart from perhaps a hat, and next to no props. Such skill.
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What a clever shot!
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Thanks! We were seated well before time, so ….
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What a fascinating story and a wonderful night out! There are so many things I don’t know.
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She’s clearly more of a heroine here in the UK and Australia. You however have your very own Amelia Earhart!
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How wonderful Margaret. I do enjoy a good piece of theatre. When I saw the photo of Amy Johnson, I wondered what was going on. I so like your last photo.
Thanks for joining in 😀
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I thought you’d like the Australian connection too. Thanks Brian.
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I recognised her straight away
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👍😉
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Must admit I’d not heard of Amy Johnson but I shall research her once I post my message to you. Sounds fascinating.
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She was quite a woman, and part of England’s commonly known heritage. Our very own Amelia Earhart!
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Live theatre can go places in the imagination that film and TV can’t do. Looks like an interesting staging and performance.
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It truly was. I note Amy Johnson only seems known to British and Australian audiences. Lucky us!
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That sounds like a wonderful evening out. Small venues and one-person performances often create a special kind of atmosphere where the story feels much more immediate and personal. Amy Johnson’s story is fascinating in itself, and it must be impressive to see it brought to life on stage with such minimal props. Sometimes the simplest staging allows the performance and storytelling to really shine. The photo with the audience shadows on the stage is a nice touch—it captures that quiet moment just before the performance begins.
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Thanks. Yes, this felt like a special evening. Jenny Lockyer’s appreciation of her subject shone through, and her ability to transform herself from an eager young aviator to a crusty air commodore in seconds was a joy.
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