The last time Dave Nellist came to the Watford Palace Theatre, it was in 1997 in Elton John’s Glasses, David Farr’s comedy about one man’s obsession with Watford FC’s failure to win the FA Cup Final in 1984. So it is probably fitting that he returns in one of the club’s most fateful weeks since 1996, when the play was set, when they lost to Leicester City and were relegated to the then Second Division.
“I’ve had a soft spot for the Hornets ever since,“ laughs Dave, originally from Newcastle and now living in Hackney. “Luther Blissett took us down to Vicarage Road and showed us around, and we met Elton John’s mum and dad, which was nice!“
He returns next week in a very different play, Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills. The story follows seven children one wartime summer playing about in the Forest of Dean. But their childish games, complex friendships and moral dilemmas lead them headlong into sudden and unexpected tragedy.
“It’s interesting as a play,“ says Dave, 44, “because as parents we’re always talking about our kids having less freedom than we had in our childhoods, but this shows the opposite side of the coin – the bad side of being left alone too much, it’s sort of bordering on Lord of the Flies territory.“
Dave studied his own two daughters to prepare for playing the part of Willie. “It was fascinating to see how easy it is for children to forgive. Willie starts off being bullied and a few minutes later they’re on to a different game and it’s completely forgotten. And children just come out and say things, they’ll just go up to someone and say ‘I don’t want to be your friend anymore’, where an adult would probably have played that scenario out in their head.“
Director Psyche Stott told the actors to focus on the mood and emotions of children.
“When children feel fear, it’s the biggest fear in the world, even though it might seem strange and small to us. My daughter was going on a school trip and she was absolutely terrified that the whole class was going to leave without her. She made us get there half an hour early and of course no-one else was there yet, but she thought they’d already gone. In the play, we used that to show the children’s fear of a prisoner of war in the forest.“
The play builds up to a shocking final scene. “I won’t spoil it for you,“ Dave laughs, “but it’s something that changes their lives forever. I think everybody has one of those days in their life, where you look back and see it was a real turning point, whether for good or bad.“
Much like football teams, then. “I’ll definitely be cheering on Watford,“ says Dave. “Whether they win or lose, come and see the play – we’ll be a nice antidote to the football!“
Blue Remembered Hills is at Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford from Wednesday, May 29 to Saturday, June 1. Details: 01293 225671, www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk