Visit to Kipling’s home inspires The Stables cast of My Boy Jack

The cast of forthcoming Stables Theatre production My Boy Jack was invited to experience the atmosphere of the beautiful Kipling family home of Batemans, in Burwash.

Run by the National Trust, the property remains much as it was left by the Kiplings and is the main setting for My Boy Jack.

The play is based on the moving true story of Rudyard Kipling and his son John (“Jack”), and is about the impact of the First World War on the family.

The play’s director, Chris Lacey, said: “To be able to take in the actual surroundings that inspired Kipling and his work, and to visit the home where this family lived, was inspirational to the cast.

It really brought home the fact that we are telling the story of a real family.

“We are grateful to the National Trust for the opportunity to visit and photograph the cast Batemans and to photographer Peter Mould for the wonderful images he was able to capture.”

The cast includes Bill Allender, who takes on the role of Rudyard Kipling, and Susannah Mayor as his wife Carrie.

Their children John and Elsie Kipling are played by James Slacke and Mae Jackson.

My Boy Jack was written by David Haig and takes its name after a poem written by Kipling about his son.

The play was made into a successful film starring David Haig, Daniel Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall.

Commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, My Boy Jack opens on Friday 7 November and runs to Saturday 15 November.

Visit www.stablestheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01424 423221 for bookings and further information.