Backstage At Oswestry

Friday, 12 November 2010

Some Thoughts About The Bullets & Daffodils Production

From Philip Ronald Price:-
"Being a former pupil of Birkenhead Institute Grammar School, Wirral, I have been aware of Wilfred Owen's work as a war poet since I was at the school in the 1960s. I was delighted to hear that Dean Johnson, also a former B.I. pupil, had composed his special musical tribute to Wilfred.  I went to see Dean's tribute at Birkenhead Library on November 10th, 2010.

Dean's songs and the moving narration by actor Christopher Timothy portrayed the life of Wilfred Owen, who had spent seven years studying at Birkenhead Institute, prior to serving in World War One. Dean's lyrics and interpretation of Wilfred's short life were moving and emotional, and reflected the horrors of war, and how Wilfred fought for his country, and died only a week before the end of the war. Wilfred's wonderful poems are his legacy, and ironically, reflect the futility of war.

Dean's songs about Wilfred are also very topical, and the sentiments which Dean expresses apply equally well today, reminding us all of the suffering and pain of war. I would like to congratulate Dean on his marvellous musical presentation, which is a very fitting tribute to the life of poet Wilfred Owen."

Here's Dean during the performance of Bullets & Daffodils at Wallasey Library on 11 November 2010:-