Private Peaceful
By Michael Morpurgo. Adapted by Simon Reade
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The Peaceful brothers, Tommo and Charlie, have a tough rural childhood facing the loss of their father, financial hardship and a cruel landlord.
Their fierce loyalty to each other pulls them through, until one day they both fall for the same girl. And then the Great War comes.
Set against the epic backdrop of WW1, we join 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful in the trenches as he takes us on a journey through his most cherished memories and tells his story of courage, devotion, family and friendship.
The award-winning Private Peaceful was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, won the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Blue Peter Book Award. Acknowledged by Michael Morpurgo (War Horse, The Butterfly Lion) as his favourite work, this thrilling new ensemble retelling by Simon Reade, directed by Elle While, explores the lengths a young soldier will go to to fight for what is right.
Running time
2 hours including an interval
Presented By
Jonathan Church Theatre Productions. A Nottingham Playhouse production.
Directed By
Elle While
Adapted By
Simon Reade
Age Guidance
Suitable for ages 9+
Group & Family Discounts
Groups of 10+ will get 10% off the ticket price,
Groups of 20+ will get 15% off the ticket price.
Groups of 50+ will get 20% off the ticket price.
To book, please call our box office team directly on 0121 236 4455.
Schools Insight Pack
Download the insight pack for schools here
Access Performances
Audio Described Performance: Thu 21 Apr, 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: Fri 22 Apr, 7.30pm
Audiences are loving the show
Top-notch visceral theatre graced with extraordinarily smart acting throughout.”
★★★★★ WhatsOnStage
A powerful and quality production… the striking set design… is brilliantly complemented by the lighting.”
★★★★ The Reviews Hub
Delivers its emotional impact with full force.”
The Times
This new version of Private Peaceful will undoubtedly prove a hit with audiences all over the country.”
British Theatre Guide
The story just took over and enveloped the viewer, drawing you in and making you feel that you were the only person in the theatre… Be prepared to be wowed.”
Kev Castle Theatre Reviews
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan.
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan
The Cast
Daniel Boyd
Daniel Boyd plays Charlie in Private Peaceful.
John Dougall
John Dougall is in Private Peaceful playing James Peaceful/Mr Munnings/Mr Monks/Grandma Wold/Vicar/Sergeant Major/Sergeant Hanley/Captain Wilkes/Estaminet Owner/Haig (V/O)/Doctor.
Robert Ewens
Robert Ewens is in Private Peaceful, playing Big Joe/Wounded Soldier/Soldier/Orderly.
Tom Kanji
Tom Kanji is in Private Peaceful, playing Jimmy Parsons/The Colonel/Pilot/Lieutenant Buckland/Pete/Army Doctor/Officer/Major.
Emma Manton
Emma Manton is in Private Peaceful, playing Hazel Peaceful/Miss McAllister/Army Chaplain/Brigadier/Orderly/Injured German Soldier/Toothless Old Lady/Movement Captain.
Daniel Rainford
Daniel trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Theatre credits include: Mr Burns: A Post-Electric Play (Derby Theatre); Surfacing (The Vaults); When Darkness Falls (UK Tour); Private Peaceful (Nottingham Playhouse); Once Upon A Time In Nazi Occupied Tunisia (Almeida Theatre); I Don’t Dance (So&So Arts); AAAAA (Lion & The Unicorn); Horseshoes For Hand Grenades (East Riding Theatre); Bromley Bedlam Bethlehem (Old Red Lion); Me And My Left Ball (Tristan Bates Theatre).
Screen credits include: The Batman; Cost Of Living; Catflap and Doctors.
Daniel has also voiced ‘MacDowell’ and ‘Jordan’ in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of A Kestrel For A Knave.
Liyah Summers
Liyah studied at The Brit School and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Theatre includes: An Unexpected Twist (UK Tour); A Christmas Carol (RSC); Private Peaceful (UK Tour); Who Cares (Lung Theatre); Henry VI Part One Rehearsals Project (RSC); Our Lady Of Kibeho (Theatre Royal Stratford East); The Old Curiosity Shop and The Velveteen Rabbit (Everyman Theatre Cheltenham); Maydays (RSC); The Elephant Man (Bristol Old Vic) and The Wizard of Oz (BOVTS)
Readings and Workshops include: Private Peaceful (Nottingham Playhouse); The Darkest Part Of The Night (The Kiln Theatre); The Sea (Hammerpuzzle); The Snow Queen (Bristol Old Vic) and Stars In The Morning Sky (RSC).
Abigail Hood
Abigail Hood is the understudy for Private Peaceful.
The Creative Team
Adaptor
Simon Reade
Simon Reade
Simon Reade is a dramatist, director and producer. He has adapted Private Peaceful.
Lighting Designer
Matt Haskins
Matt Haskins
Matt Haskins is the lighting designer on Private Peaceful.
Movement Director
Neil Bettles
Neil Bettles
Neil Bettles is the Movement Director for Private Peaceful.
Voice and Dialect Coach
Marianne Samuels
Marianne Samuels
Marianne Samuels is the voice and dialect coach for Private Peaceful.
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