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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-02-24, Page 13Vr -91 Crossroads Exeter Times:Advocate Wednesday,February 24, 1999 "On Convoy" sets By Kate Monk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — What started as a play about one man's life has taken on. a greater role in telling Canadians about the Merchant Navy. Writer Paul Cuifo met John Webster of Hay Twp. a few years ago and the story of Webster's life captured his attention. "The first thing that twigged was his personality," Cuifo said. "He had very powerful stories of wartime." Webster served in the Merchant Navy in the Second World War and although Cuifo had a keen interest in war, he said he was "drawing a blank" when he heard of the Merchant Navy. Webster told Cuifo that was understand- able since the Merchant Navy wasn't rec- ognized or given accolades for its vital involvement in the Second World War. This intrigued Cuifo who set out to research the men who transported sup- plies across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. Cuifo said proportionally more people died in the Merchant Navy than any other part of the war — their ships were prime targets for German submarines. "They faced a unique fear," Cuifo explained. "They faced constant fear — where they ate, slept and lived." Webster's tales inspired him to write his first play "On Convoy" which will be per- formed by the Goderich• Little Theatre at The Livery in Goderich in March. magic but f tinting life Cuifo said Webster "led a very tragic but fascinating life." Born in 1918 in Clinford, England, Webster's mother died when he was 13 years old and he left home shortly after. - At age 14, Webster began working aboard a Danish merchant vessel. During the Second World War, he served in the Army and Merchant Navy and received five medals: 1939-45 Star, Atlantic . Star, Africa Star and Clasp, Italy Star and War Medal 1939-45. After the war, Webster emigrated to Canada with his wife and settled in Exeter. He was an active member of the Exeter and later the Hensall Legion. "John transferred to me the urgency he felt in having his story told," Cuifo said. "He felt his life was nearing the end." Cuifo admits it's good Webster was per- sistent because it kept him focused on writing the play. During the project, Cuifo and Webster became good friends and he had the hon- our of being a pall bearer at Webster's funeral a year ago. "I really liked him a lot," Cuifo said. Webster read an initial draft of the play and Cuifo said Webster "was really happy about it," Cuifo said. "I got the impression his family was proud of what he'd done," Cuifo com- mented. "We need to treasure his experi- ences because they're fragile and can dis- appear." Cuifo said the character in the play is close to what Webster was like. and according to Cuifo, Webster's widow Rose told him, "You hit the nail on the head." In the play, John Knapp plays John More A.B., the character based on Webster. Knapp has an English back- ground and is physically similar to Webster. "He's just totally plugged into the role," Cuifo said. Knapp volunteered in the Armoured Corps and in early 1941, Knapp's unit was sent overseas to England. During this voyage the ship directly ahead of his was hit by U-boats (German submarines) and sunk. Even the life boats were destroyed by Machine gun fire, according to Knapp. Although the play's plot incorporates Webster's experiences, the two other characters, played by Ryan Whalen and David Armour, are not based on individ- ual people. Lifeline to Europe - The play tells the story of life in the Merchant Navy which carried supplies to Europe during the Second World War. Cargo included food stuffs, ammunition, clothing, steel, oil and aircraft. The out- come of the war depended on the success- ful flow of trade across the Atlantic. Seventy-two Canadian Merchant Ships were lost to enemy action torpedoed, bombed, mined or shelled. Storms at sea, operational accidents and/or structural failure compounded the danger. Their crews, without uniform or recognition and poorly paid, sailed across hostile seas fac- ing the prospect of death by freezing water or flaming oil. The sea lanes of the world, especially those of the North Atlantic, formed a grim battleground and navigation was haz- ardous. The threat of U-boats was con- stant. One of the only lines of defense was the convoy. A typical convoy of 40 ships would be 10 columns wide with four ships in each col- umn. It would be headed by a flagship, carrying the convoy commodore. Ammunition ships and tankers with their highly volatile aviation fuel were on the inside. Ideally, the convoy would be escorted by warships patrolling its outer flanks. However, the convoys often had to make the crossing %vithout adequate defense and the results were devastating. At the end of the war, Rear Admiral Leonard Murray, Commander -In - Chief Canadian North Atlantic said, "The Battle of the Atlantic was not won by any navy or air force. It was won by the courage, fortitude and determination of the British and Allied Merchant Navy." Merchant Seamen are lobbying the govern- ment for recognition as war veter- ans. . After the war, the government dissuad- Page 13 sail March 19 Playwright Paul Cuifo The life of the late John Webster forrris. the basis for "On -Convoy", a play • about the -Merchant Navy i;a tea,, u, 33*>• ed merchan oieainen discharge saying they'd be nee . e• to man an expanded Canadian merchant fleet. By 1949, the plans never materialized with the result that the merchant seamen were released but were not given rehabilitation benefits. Cuifo said there are only 1,400 members of the Merchant Navy left, including Bill Bell from the Hensall area. Theatre becomes a ship "On Convoy" transfers the audience to life in a convoy with the entire theatre becoming a merchant navy vessel. The set and costume design. of On Convoy by Sherri Milburn and the lighting design by Ross Barnett, will be `much like "theatre -in -the -round" where the audi- ence will be seated where the action is taking place. "We want the audience to feel that they are on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The whole Livery will turn into a ship," Milburn said. The three-dimensional production with action throughout the theatre comes together under the expert direction of Duncan McGregor. Cuifo said . McGregor spent many hours, with him refiningthe script to make an interesting story into a unique play. The sound effects of the ship, the U-boat attacks and the accompanying musical score have been created by Arlene Darnbrough. Cuifo says the play is also taking on an important role in educating people, espe- cially students, about the tIvIerchant Navy. Knowledgeable historian, have Bevel- . oped 'education kits which are being sent to Iocal schools. Words and numbers a good mix Whilewriting plays may not be the pas time one would expect from a financial planner, Cuifo says hiscareer and hobby are a good mix. From the time he was in high school, Cuifo wanted to have a. career in writing. In university he studied political studies, engllsh and creative writing. During his. studies, he worked •as a sum- mer reporter at various Huron County community newspapers while residing in Grand Bend. After working full time in journalism, he found that after spending the day writing, he didn't didn't have the creative energy to write scripts or stories. • He now works as a financial planner for The Mutual Group in Exeter and finds spending a.day with numbers allows him. to work with words in his spare time. • Cuifo is anxiously awaiting "On Convoy's" opening night but :is optimistic his first play will do well. He says the elements make it a unique situation. The Goderich Little Theatre has never performed a locally -written play. Combined with the fact the play is about a local person and will get its world pre- miere in 'Goderich gives it the potential to be special for everyone involved. "It's a great start," Cuifo said. "The peo- ple involved in this play are incredible." Cuifo's writing career won't stop here — he has recently been commissioned to write a play for the Blyth Festival. "This is not the only play •I'm going to write," Cuifo promised. Performances can be seen at The Livery in Goderich on March 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. and March 21, 27 and 28 at 2 p.m: • For ticket information, scan The Goderich Little Theatre at 519-524-6262.