Delving into the deep recesses of the mind

Bomber’s Moon, by Made in Dagenham writer William Ivory, follows the story of RAF gunner Jimmy and his new care assistant, David.

Now an old man who lives in sheltered accommodation, Jimmy is facing his final battle against old age and infirmity, while David, still struggling to cope after a breakdown and losing his job, is desperate to build a new future for himself.

As their unlikely relationship develops, Jimmy’s memory increasingly snaps him back to the adrenaline-fuelled terror of his Second World War bombing raids and David’s new found faith is tested to breaking point.

Tim Dantay, whose face will be familiar to many for his numerous theatre, film and television roles - most recently in the BBC adaption of The Diary of Anne Frank - takes on the role of David, one year after performing it for Nottingham audiences.

The Courier caught up with him just before rehearsals for the Belgrade run began.

He said: “Going back to it is setting me quite a challenge. It does deal with some very dark aspects of life, death, love and religion.

“Although I am very much looking forward to it, I am having to prepare myself psychologically to get into the dark recesses of the mind.

“Having said that, it’s also got a lot of comedy in it. When we performed it in Nottingham, the audiences were falling about on the floor laughing, but they were also crying. It is full of really thought-provoking issues.”

Despite having a wealth of acting experience, Tim admits that Bomber’s Moon presents him with many challenges.

He said: “With just the two of is, rehearsals can be quite lonely and you don’t get any breaks, but both of us like being on stage - it’s good to not get time to relax because you just want to keep going.

“The writing is extraordinary. It’s only William Ivory’s second play on stage but he has absolutely come up trumps with it.”

And the issues Tim is thrown into have made him think a great deal - not least the very topical subject of the country’s care system.

He said: “The play shows how great carers can be and also why they might feel down. You see how much patience they have to have and what an incredibly demanding, but also rewarding, job it is.

“For one evening, it is like the audience is invited into an aspect of a care home, but also aspects of being in the Second World War. It’s quite an intimate evening.”

Bomber’s Moon is on at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry from Saturday September 10 to Saturday October 1, with a free post-show discussion with Tim, fellow cast member Paul Greenwood and director Matt Aston. Tickets cost from £8.50 to £14.50 (lower prices available online). Call 024 7655 3055 or visit the website.

www.belgrade.co.uk

Caption:

Paul Greenwodd as Jimmy and Tim Dantay as David in Bomber’s Moon. Picture by Alan Fletcher.