Mrs Beech

When I wrote Goodnight Mister Tom I knew a lot more about William's

mother than I revealed in the book. I didn't write more about her because it was

Tom Oakley and Willie Beech's story.

Some years after it was published, I was working on the musical with the

composer Gary Carpenter and I felt that I needed to write the lyrics for two songs to

show not only how disturbed and frightened she was but also to reveal her broken

childhood and what led her to commit suicide.

Meanwhile, as the musical was being performed there was talk of a TV

adaptation and I was introduced to the screenwriter Brian Finch. After it was given

the go ahead I brought up the subject of Mrs Beech. I knew he would need to write

scenes for her and I didn't want her portrayed as evil even though her actions were

abusive. And I told him about the songs.

'Send them to me,' he said.

In schools I have heard that some teachers only read extracts from

Goodnight Mister Tom because the scenes with William and his mother are too

upsetting. To be honest I have always felt that the story is more suitable for

secondary school children but I also understand that a teacher knows her/his pupils

and students better than I do and is in a much better position to decide whether to

read the book to them or not. Lately however, I have received letters from children

who are upset by Mrs Beech's behaviour and don't understand why she is so cruel.

To help explain her state of mind I have on some occasions sent their teacher a copy
of the libretto so that she/he can decide whether to share the lyrics with their class

or not.

In case there are other teachers or older students who would like to obtain a

copy of the libretto it can be bought through the following website:

http://weinberger.epartnershub.com/Goodnight-Mister-Tom-Libretto-

M570050482.aspx