Michelle Magorian gave a very moving presentation at our July ’23 meeting on the background to her writing Goodnight Mister Tom and a description of the various versions which have appeared.
She began by telling a us a little about her Australian background and her move to UK as a young girl. She was at first very homesick in an alien culture and had a strong Australian accent which was cured by elocution lessons and drama classes. She was an avid user of Portsmouth Library and loved writing and drama as a child. She wrote plays and poetry and performed at drama college.
Goodnight Mister Tom is the moving story of a small boy, William Beech evacuated in WW11 and taken care of by a gruff, but kind Thomas Oakley (Mister Tom). Michelle’s mother had nursed two poor boys who had only slept under, rather than in beds previously, and this had given her the germ of an idea for the story. Michelle read some excerpts from the book, showing the abuse William had suffered from his very strict and abusive mother who was keen for him to have a religious upbringing. Mister Tom assures William that no belt would be used in his house.
Michelle’s agent proposed producing a musical based on the book with Michelle write=ing the script. This version gave her the freedom to reveal more about the mother’s character and adults would be able to bring children to the show.
Michelle read some of the lyrics revealing the two voices of Tom and William with W’s refrain of “I like this bed” & Goodnight Mister Tom alternating with Thomas justifying why he cannot keep the boy. Michelle played some audiotapes of the songs showing William’s love of drawing and how when drawing he feels most truly himself – Drawing is me.
For the film version there were many meetings. The characters feelings could be revealed on screen with John Thaw playing Mister Tom. The mother’s character could be shown in songs such as “I’m Frightened” about the imminent arrival of her new baby girl, her need to have William with her to help and her desire to hide away. She fears that William will betray her and appears to be having a mental breakdown. This is a dark and sad version. Tom has opened his heart and found joy in caring for William and wants to find him again.
Last September an unabridged audio-book read by Christopher Saul was published and is available free in libraries with Carl Davies conducting the finale.
The musical version was released in 2001 and a new copy of the libretto is to be released very soon.
This was a moving and emotional talk with Michelle readings excerpts with great dramatic effect and authentic voices. Her son assisted with the audio-recordings.
Michelle brought along some copies of Goodnight Mister Tom and information and reviews on her other books. Our members enjoyed talking with her afterwards.
Lois Coulthart