This term’s Middle School Drama production is Private Peaceful, a poignant coming-of-age story about Tommo Peaceful, a young soldier reflecting on his life, love, and the brutality of war as he faces the horrors of World War One.
Rehearsals are well underway, with three weeks to go until the first performance in the Mitre Theatre. Tickets are now on sale for performances on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March at 7.00pm, with a matinee at 2.00pm on Saturday 29 March: book here.
Miss Robinson, Head of Drama, is directing the production and tells us a bit more about the choice of play:
“’In the First World War, over 290 students of the British and Commonwealth armies were executed by firing squad; some for desertion, some for cowardice, two for simply sleeping at their posts.’ This harrowing statistic was the motivation for Michael Morpurgo’s much-loved novel Private Peaceful, which follows the brothers Charlie and Tommo as they confront the challenges of World War One.
“I have taught Morpurgo’s War Horse for nearly 10 years but hadn’t come across the play version of Private Peaceful until this year: I love the varied characters and the contrast between the idyllic Devon countryside and the harrowing trenches in Belgium. I will use a minimalist set and abstract lighting to reflect the episodic nature of the play: there are so many quick scene changes that clunky pieces of scenery being wheeled on and off would disrupt the tension and flow of the scenes.
“I have been really encouraged by the maturity of our Middle School students as we approach the play’s challenging themes of death, legacy and war. To heighten the tragedy in the War scenes, it is really important that moments of comedy are released in the first act: students are ably switching between the comedic and sad moments in a way that I hope builds the pathos when morning comes and the unthinkable happens.”
Fourth Year student George is taking the role of Tommo, the protagonist and narrator of the story. His character is defined by his deep loyalty to his family, especially his older brother Charlie, and his strong moral compass.
George says, “I was delighted to find out I got the role of Tommo. Having been committed to Drama productions since JBugs, it was really exciting to get a lead role: Tommo is a more developed character than others I’ve played before, and less eccentric or comical, which is a good challenge.
“I was daunted by the number of lines, particularly the nine monologues! One of the Sixth Form Drama students Ethan suggested that listening to recordings might help: he then very kindly recorded the lines for me to listen to, which has helped me learn them. The role requires a range of emotions, putting into practice my knowledge of performance skills from GCSE Drama, and making the most of the limited stage space Tommo is confined to (as he is in a cell for much of the play.)
“The cast and crew are friendly as ever and we are all working really hard to make this production go well, and it will be particularly exciting to see how the set works in bringing to life the different locations of the play. I hope we will be able to make the audience consider the ethical side of World War One, and the struggles it brought back to the people of the country.”
Ed, another Fourth Year Drama student involved in the production, says, “I have really enjoyed working on the fight scene: we’ve rehearsed it really well and I’ve learnt lots of new stage combat techniques… hopefully it’ll look good in the final performance!”
Please book your tickets now, via the Events page!
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