From 3-7 December 2007 Two’s Company presents yet another play in their remarkable series of undiscovered works from World War I at the Tristan Bates Theatre at the Actors’ Centre in London’s West End. Over the past three years, under the collective title FORGOTTEN VOICES FROM THE GREAT WAR, this enterprising company has unearthed and staged a trilogy of short plays written by and about the men at the front followed by What The Women Did, a trilogy written by and/or about women and the effect of the war on them. A full length work Red Night followed and now this unique look at contemporary letters written by a young officer who was killed in 1916. The press night of MY REAL WAR 1914 – ? is on Monday, 3 December at 8.00. The play lasts 80 minutes.
The real young officer was 2nd Lieutenant Havilland le Mesurier, who, had he lived, would have been the uncle of John le Mesurier, now best remembered for his role in Dad’s Army. The role on stage is played by the extraordinary young actor Philip Desmeules.
Tricia Thorns, who adapted and directed most of the Forgotten Voices series, has woven these privately published letters into a moving 80 minute play and directs. The designer is Alex Marker, lighting designer Duncan Coombe and sound designer Adrienne Quartly.
The letters are riveting because they contrast the stark and horrible conditions in the trenches with rare moments of comfort, as when “Lem” was billeted in a mansion in France with an amazing wine cellar. He wrote almost daily to his parents but in very different modes; he was frank with his father while letters to his mother frequently asked for recipes and creature comforts like fleece lined slippers to be sent.
MY REAL WAR 1914 – ? toured for two months earlier this year and was so enthusiastically received that it is touring again prior to its London run. The play will be performed in Scarborough, Musselburgh, St. Andrews, Horsham, Petersfield, Shrivenham, Uppingham, Southampton, Street, Taunton and Rugby School, where le Mesurier was a pupil.
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