THE story of a reservist called up to serve his country at the outbreak of the First World War, is portrayed by actor, author and director Peter Gill in his own play ‘Meet Tommy Atkins’, at Welshpool on Friday, May 31.
Peter Gill wrote the play in 2014 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and the story is very close to his heart as he has a great interest in the war and also the social history of Britain that was directly affected by it.
‘Meet Tommy Atkins’ takes the audience through his war – a war that saw him fight at Ypres, Passendale, Loos and on the Somme and that took him to the depths of despair but also brought him unique comradeship that he would never find again.
He experiences the full scale of life in the Western Front trenches, the horror, the pain, the misery, the boredom and even the moments of joy.
It also takes Tommy through the inter-war period when many of those that had fought in the war returned to a country that was definitely not a country fit for heroes, and then past a Second World War and into an era when social benefits were introduced.
Peter has toured ‘Meet Tommy Atkins’ all over the country and even on the continent and also presents a special one hour edition of the play for schools.
‘Meet Tommy Atkins’ can be seen at the Church House, Welshpool, at 7.30pm. Tickets are adults £10, child £5, to include a programme, nibbles and hot drinks. Patrons are allowed to bring their own wine.
Tickets are available in advance from Welshpool Jewellers or pay on the door.
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