Details

Kitchener called. Brave working men, often from the same town and factories, answered in their tens of thousands. They became known as the 'Pals' Battalions. During World War One over three million men were slaughtered in the fields of France. 306 of those men did not die for King and Country. No trial. No hope. No pardon. They were executed by firing squad for desertion in the face of the enemy. For one terror stricken boy in khaki the end was a kitchen chair hidden in a French quarry. This is his story. Billy Dean is a young volunteer soldier, who has been found guilty of desertion in the face of the enemy. The sentence: execution by firing squad 5.30am July 17th 1916. Inspired by the eye witness account of Private P.J. Kennedy, 18th Manchester Regiment, of the execution by firing squad of a fellow soldier for desertion in the face of the enemy: Killed: July 17th 1916 was originally created by the Theatre in Education Company at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry.

Cast/Performers

Pearce Sampson (Billy Dean), Mabel Wright (May Dean), Annabelle Green (Elsie), Tom Woodward (Tommy / Private Walsh), Jordan Alexander (Captain Howard), Neil Hobbs (RSM), Samantha Roberts (Patriotic Woman)

Creatives/Company

Company: Bang Theatre
Director: Elizabeth Elstub
Design: Dave Benson
Lighting: Tom Kitney
Costume: Costume Up