Wellington’s connection and pride in its association with WW2 heroine Odette Hallowes will be affirmed in September when the town hosts Canadian theatre company, Tumbleweeds Theatre, with their original production of A Little Green Leaf by Kimberly Denness-Thomas.
This one-act play is inspired by the true story of Odette Hallowes who, while working for the resistance in France, was captured after being betrayed, then imprisoned and tortured by the Gestapo.
Odette lived at Whiteball just outside Wellington before the war.
Her valiant role in wartime history was part of the Actiontrack community theatre project, The Wondrous Tales of the Whiteball Tunnel, at St John’s Church, Wellington in 2014 and Nancy Powell Brace’s tea shop, which opened in 2015, was named in her honour. Odette’s Tearoom closed last year.
Odette was awarded a George Cross for her bravery and dedicated her post-war life to honoring the women whose stories could no longer be told. She helped establish the Woman of the Year Award and worked tirelessly to speak for her fallen comrades.
Tumbleweeds Theatre, founded in 2000 by Kimberly Denness-Thomas and based on the west coast of Canada, is a company dedicated to providing artistic opportunities to youth, breaking down social, economic and physical barriers.
The company’s Associate Producer, Louise Higham, is the eldest daughter of Marianne, Odette’s youngest child.
She regularly gives talks about her grandmother and is involved with various groups that honour her memory and uses her story to inspire others.
In October, 2024, Nancy Powell-Brace was contacted by Kimberly Denness-Thomas through social media and told about the play. Nancy was asked if she thought Wellington would like to host it in the autumn of 2025.
After discussion with Wellington Theatre Company, the committee decided that they would love to do this and Nancy started the arrangements.
The play will be performed twice on Friday, September 12th.
In the afternoon Court Fields School will host a performance in their new drama studio. The audience will be Year 10 students, supporting Religious Studies, History and Performing Arts teaching.
The evening public performance will be at Wellington Arts Centre. Details of tickets will be announced shortly.
The following extract from Odette’s post war writing explains the significance of the play’s title, recalling a moment when she was in solitary confinement in Ravensbrück concentration camp:
“Somewhere in the vast spaces of the sky, a wind had risen and, impelled by a strength and a direction beyond human knowledge, had stirred the branches of a tree and had lifted a leaf and carried it gently down onto the ground of Ravensbrück to be picked up by hands that had great need of it.
“My guards paid little attention. They were totally unconscious of the significance of the treasure I had acquired. They did not know, as they slammed the door of my cell, that I held in my fingers a most potent link with the forces of life and freedom. As one weary day followed another the leaf became more and more precious to me. ”
Kimberly Denness-Thomas said: “Our hope is to share Odette’s story with the world, sparking new conversations about the Holocaust, fascist oppression, and what “peace” truly means in today’s world. With your support, A Little Green Leaf will give Odette’s voice a platform, spreading light where peace and hope can grow.”
The play will also be presented in London and Chichester.
That is brilliant!!! Will surely get tickets!!!!