Writer: Anita Sullivan
Director: Angharad Jones
What decisions do people make that truly influence the world in which we live? Who makes the most 
important decisions? Why are those decisions made?
Model Village is the story of the second largest model village (not counting Legoland) in the UK. It depicts the idyllic life of an English village safely nestled in the countryside in 1936. However, visitors to the Model Village are dwindling. Hoping to bring in new audiences, the manager commissions an edgy street artist to create a new building for the town. Luckily, his fame and anarchic approach bring new revenue and attention. But with change also comes trouble.
The staff and the unexpectedly lively citizens of the model village have strong opinions about the changes. Over the course of the play, as the stages of development for the new building unfold, each of the characters takes a clear stance on whether they believe the changes are for the better or not. At the end of the play, however, it’s the audience’s turn to decide.
New Perspectives is a touring theatre company based out of the East Midlands, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Although Model Village is being performed at some theatres, this tour is largely visiting village halls and community centres in rural areas of the midlands. The show is designed to start conversation, to explore the past and what happens in the future, and encourages us to think about the “model village” we might want to live in someday. By giving the audience a choice between two endings, we become complicit in the action and are asked to consider the real-life implications of our decision.
Although the show is small scale, it’s got a big heart. Gemma Caseley-Kirk’s set design depicts a quaint yet artistically rendered town, with wonderful surprises hidden in windows and on the town map. Caseley-Kirk’s set partners well with Adam P McCready’s sound design, both of which assist the storytelling beautifully. Satirical comments on the state of the train in the village, illustrated by a cool light-up railway map make for interesting transitions. The world of the model village is well-crafted and makes clever reference to the events of the play.
The three actors do an impressive job, tackling multiple roles, multiple social issues, on-stage costume changes, and songs, in addition to being prepared to present a different ending every night. The script, written by Anita Sullivan, has moments of piercing clarity and nobly attempts to broach a wide range of current areas of political and social debate. Her idea of a model village as a welcoming setting in which to explore the current divides, especially within England, is intriguing, and this play will undoubtedly strike up many new conversations.
Model Village is an enjoyable, thought-provoking play. It’s funny at times, reflective at others, and always engaging. Rural touring in England is a long-established yet sometimes uncelebrated practice. Model Village is a great example of how new writing in theatre can be made available to village halls and community centres, while also provoking conversation and providing entertainment.
New Perspectives has crafted a lovely piece, perfect for the celebration of their 50th anniversary, and well worth seeing.
Runs until 19 October and on tour
