The production will play a limited two week season from the 7th to the 22nd November.
Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for Take Two Theatricals, and the Barn Theatre have announced that Simon Reade’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful will head to the West End for a limited season.
This production will form part of Nimax Theatre’s plans to reopen ts theatres and will be the first new production to be staged indoors in London’s West End since the Government closed theatres in March. The limited two-week season at the Garrick Theatre will run from the 7th to 22nd November 2020, with a Remembrance Day Gala and Press Night in aid of the Royal British Legion and Farms for City Children (founded by Michael and Clare Morpurgo) at 7pm on Wednesday 11th November.
The West End run will be preceded by four performances at Bristol Old Vic at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October and 2.30pm (with a BSL interpreter) and 7.30pm on Saturday 24th October.
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 the countryside: 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.
The production is directed by Alexander Knott, with Zöe Grain as associate director and movement director and composition by James Demaine. Sound design is by Harry Smith and lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner. Associate producers are Julie Clare, and Thomas Hopkins & Michael Quinn for GingerQuiff Media.
Private Tommo is played by Emily Costello. Emily is the first female performer to play Tommo on the professional stage. This production of Private Peaceful is the first to have two cast members rather than being a solo piece, as it was originally written. James Demaine will play Charlie and other roles. It has been staged so that the two actors never touch and are socially distanced.
For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/private-peaceful/