Moving play from 'War Horse' writer coming to Siamsa
ACCLAIMED children's laureate, Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse, has produced another dramatic tale of the First World War with Private Peaceful which tours to Siamsa Tíre on the 17th and 18th of February at 8pm.
Having completed sellout runs in London, the Edinburgh Fringe and off Broadway, Scamp Theatre with Poonamallee are delighted to present this powerful story of hope by the UK Children's Laureate.
Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn.
During the night he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in rural Devon: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line.
This remarkable story, winner of the 2005 Blue Peter Book of the Year award, is the by the third Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo. The inspiration for Private Peaceful came from Morpurgo's visit to Ypres where he was shocked to discover how many young soldiers were court-martialled and shot for cowardice during the First World War.
Michael Morpurgo's reputation in the world of children's books is unparalleled, having won the 1995 Whitbread Award for The Wreck of the Zanzibar, the 1996 Smarties Book Prize for The Butterfly Lion and the 2000 Children's Book Award for Kensuke's Kingdom.
The First World War is a topic of interest for many, in part because of the silence that existed for many years around the subject of Irish soldiers who fought and died in the Great War. Up to 200,000 Irish men are believed to have fought in the World War I, of whom at least 40,000 died, 30 in circumstances similar to Private Tommo Peaceful.
Private Peaceful is included on the Junior Certificate curriculum for English literature and is suitable for those aged 8 and up. Tickets are €19/16 and can be booked on 066) 7123055 and on-line at www.siamsatire.com
