The Torch Youth Theatre production The Bangers and Chips Explosion will see a cast of over 50 young people take to the stage at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre on July 21 - 23, 2025

Playwright and director Tim Howe talked to the Tenby Observer recently about this rip-roaring comedy, based on the 1989 book by Brough Girling.

The Wind in the Willows was a runaway success in a way that had not been anticipated, and the challenge was following it with something equally good. Tim got together with Chelsey Gillard to look for that difficult ‘second album’.

“The Bangers and Chips Explosion is different but has the same kind of energy.” Tim remembered reading the book as a child and described it as “the perfect bonkers story for young children.” He later acquired it as part of a library clear-out but it wasn’t until 2017 when he encountered it at the bottom of a box that he had the idea of adapting it into a play.

The play was first performed six years ago, at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff, but with new energy from the 50-strong Torch Youth Theatre cast, The Bangers and Chips Explosion feels brand new to its director.

It’s a rip-roaring comedy for all ages; explosive - literally. It promises to be raucous night out, and physically exhausting for the young actors.

As a result of the dinner lady at St Gertrude’s Primary School - the horrid Mrs Gunge - refusing to serve chips, the children at go on strike.

“The headteacher decides to solve the problem by putting an advert in the local ’paper for some new cooks,” explains Tim.

“The local ’paper, however, aren’t very good at proofreading and they put an advert in for some crooks, who turn up at the school one day to start cooking chips, thinking that they are going to be earning lots of money and there’s some kind of big job going down.

“You can imagine their disappointment, and their reaction is to kidnap all the children - because they realise all the children have money - and the play follows the madcap adventures of trying to rescue the children from the hands of these nasty crooks.”

The school secretary, Mrs Janet Perkins, is the hero of the story. She has enough ‘sixth sense’ to realise that the cooks are crooks, and in the second half she does her best to make up for the inadequacies of the police — Tim called the Chief of Police a dream role. It culminates in a playground showdown - with full use of the play equipment - and a surprise happy ending.

The five crooks are at the school by accident, but the true villain is Mrs Gunge, who takes advantage of the situation. She’s meant to be ‘hideous’ too, so a young man has been cast in the role.

The children take on dual roles as actors and narrators, with the same emphasis on individual personalities as was evident in The Wind in the Willows.

They had their first get-together as a whole cast recently and Tim noted how the previous performers were acting like old hands. Last year’s Toad (Dan) is Hairy Harry the Hatchet Man; Katya, who played Moley in The Wind in the Willows, is the school’s inept headteacher, clearly out of her depth, while Neo (alias Ratty) needs to maintain a comedic German accent for the whole show for his nefarious part.

“It’s just joyous and celebrates our young people,” he said. “How often do we see large groups of young people aged 7-18 just doing what they love?”

“I love that they hold us to account. They come to us with suggestions; they identify their own transferable skills themselves and are invested on multiple levels.”

Young people are helping out on the technical side, too. One former Youth Theatre member is coming in to do rehearsal photography (as they did for ‘Ravers’), and a young hairdressing student at Pembrokeshire College is involved in wig creation.

“I’m incredible happy to be in that place with young people,” Tim added.

The production doesn’t include live music, but the soundtrack will consist of familiar, school-related recordings, and once again, the children’s own input is invited.

Tim sees his role as a director of young people as a curator of their idea. He is able to get the best from them because he’s not looking for an outcome in the same way as a classroom teacher would be. The sessions meet the young people at their own level and celebrate their differences. Popping into the rehearsals, Chelsey witnesses the growth of skills and confidence over time.

“To be in rehearsal, it makes me smile,” concludes Tim. “This is why we do this. I don’t tell them to their faces, but you can quote me on this - I’m very proud of them.

“It’s a really exciting, funny play and we’re really looking forward to putting it on.”

Visit torchtheatre.co.uk or call 061646 695267 to book.