Tommy's Long Weekend. The Caxton Players, Grimsby 04 June 2026.

This week the Caxton Players bring a World premiere to the stage. Tommy’s Long Weekend by John and Victoria Taylor is a new play set in and around Grimsby in the period from World War 1 until the eve of World War 2. That period is often referred to as “The Long Weekend” between the wars. This play encompasses just that and is not focussed on a specific weekend though much is made of the weekend upon which Grimsby Town played Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in 1939. Director Cathy Bennett-Ryan has the challenging task of bringing this period to life on stage and succeeds marvellously in doing so. She, her cast and crew manage to evoke the period wonderfully and a series of rear projected photos (created by Oberon de Monet) remind us of a life perhaps almost forgotten now in this town.

The play is based on the life of legendary Grimsby publican Tommy Taylor, who happens to be the real-life grandfather of playwright John Taylor. Best remembered as the landlord of the Saracen’s Head Hotel on the corner of Cleethorpe Road and Nacton Street, Taylor had a reputation for being able to take on difficult pubs with a bad reputation and to demonstrate a no-nonsense attitude to sorting them out. Tommy Taylor was a hard but fair man, with his favourite saying, “It’s nice to be nice”. During his career he managed the Palace Theatre Buffet, the Smoker’s Arms and the Mason’s Arms as well as the Saracen’s Head. The play explores his life in depth and introduces us to a dedicated family man who was born and bred locally and is remembered by those who knew him, fondly.

In the role of Tom Taylor, Michael Howard does a fine job of portraying a Grimbarian who just wants to do what is right for him and his family but will not suffer fools. His insubordination earned Tommy Taylor a punishment of three days lashed to a cannon wheel during the First War, but his spirit remained unbroken and he continued to serve his country until de-mobbed. The role is demanding for Howard and requires a stoicism and mental hardness that would have been the real Taylor’s trademark. His brusque manner and physical interjections are well-suited to the writing here.

Tommy’s wife, Nell is played by Danielle Dove, a newcomer to the Caxton Players and she presents a strong, supportive wife who liked to remain in the background as her husband stands tall amongst the ne’er do wells of Grimsby. I found Dove’s portrayal fascinating and wish that perhaps her character could have had a greater part to play in the script. Dove’s stage presence is clear, and I was waiting for a deep, thoughtful monologue that might have underpinned her character, as an actor Dove deserves something of that nature to demonstrate what she can deliver. Perhaps if the writers re-visit the script, they might consider something of that nature. I hope we see much more of Dove's acting talents in future productions.

Everyone else in the play, performs multiple roles jumping in and out of character as and when needed and do a splendid job of keeping the action flowing with wit, warmth and humour. Our two narrators are Ruaridh Greig and Lucy Tooze. They perform with confidence and consummate ease as they slip in and out of “sundry cameos” as the programme puts it.

Another newcomer to the Caxton Theatre’s stage is Adam Bennett, who I last saw performing with the late, lamented Class Act locally. He plays one of Tommy’s wartime pals and Tommy’s son Jack (father of the playwright, John). He is called upon to play a character that is perhaps less consequential during the Long Weekend, but nevertheless, gives it his all and I hope that he has a future performing with the Caxtons.

Michael Mayne, well-known to patrons at the Caxton Theatre plays a callous, officious Major during the First War, replete with a handlebar moustache and latterly Frank, one of Tommy’s regular patrons. He brings his natural charisma and experience to both roles as always, and is highly amusing.

Frank’s sidekick is Norm, portrayed by James Laverack in his first role with the Caxton Players. Interestingly, I saw Laverack in the Taylor’s previous play, Black Saturday at Louth’s Riverhead Theatre and reviewed it then, as well. This makes him the only performer to have appeared in both plays written by the Taylors. Laverack brings wit, warmth and character to the slightly dull Norm and also plays the heartless, unforgiving sergeant during the First War.

Ryan Sowerby brings a sense of gravitas to the lawyer and manager Mr Grange, interviewing Tommy and offering him a challenge of managing (and making a success of) the Mason’s Arms in exchange for the promise of a return to the Saracen’s Head as the carrot dangled before him. Sowerby also plays Bob, one of Tommy's regular punters in the latter stages of the play.

Elizabeth Morse plays a number of roles with efficiency and clear differentiation between each, in particular her performance as Mrs Molson, the other of the Grimsby Town goalkeeper brought in at the last minute to replace Tweedy, Grimsby’s England international keeper is memorable. This is Morse's second show at the Caxton Theatre and I hope to see more of her in future roles.

Lastly, Chloey Rose brings a touch of glamour and showbiz to the play as a music hall singer and as Fifi, who frequents Tommy’s place in the latter part of the play. Rose performs a couple of music hall classics during the show, which actually calls upon the cast to sing throughout, but Rose delivers her songs and routines with the confidence of a pro and tempts the men in the audience with knowing, cheeky winks. Chloey Rose is already an accomplished performer but she would have been a smash in the music halls!

The show itself is a love letter to Grimsby and is an interesting piece of social history, it is perhaps, at times, a little over expositional and determined to present too many dates and facts but the authors clearly felt that these were important. Nevertheless, it is an ambitious, original play brought to Grimsby audiences and by being firmly rooted in place should win over audiences throughout its run. The show runs until Saturday 13 June.

Andy Evans 06 June 2026