Featuring extracts from genuine letters sent home to my great grandfather Ted Hughes by his brother Fred during WW1, this one man play follows Fred’s journey as he makes the transition from coal mine to front line. Desperate for adventure and hopeful for a greater destiny, he will jump at any opportunity that presents itself. So when Great Britain declares war on Germany in 1914, naïve colliery horse driver Fred will get his adventure, but at what cost?

I became inspired to create this play after stumbling across genuine letter extracts written by Fred from WW1 in a book published by the National Trust called ‘The Country house at War’. The heroism I encountered in them filled me with pride. The play is a way of keeping my great, great uncle Fred’s memory alive where the phrase “Lest we forget” becomes a powerful message underscoring the play. The sad reality is the impact war still has on the world today and potentially could do for a long time to come.

Much of the dialogue is taken verbatim from the letter extracts, which will invite you to reflect as well as entertain you. Expect wartime song and a private on a mission!

“outstanding performance”-Evesham Observer