Contact: Jim Byk | Kelly Guiod
PRIVATE PEACEFUL
Private Peaceful, a new play adapted and directed by Simon Reade, from the award-winning young adult novel by Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), recently completed a US tour following its celebrated New York premiere.
The critically acclaimed one-man show stars Shane O’Regan, who also toured throughout Ireland in the production. O’Regan plays more than 24 characters in what has hailed as a tour de force performance.
Private Peaceful is a timely reminder of the heroic sacrifices that were made by the soldiers in World War I. The production comes to New York in the centenary year of the end of World War I. The story follows the life of a young soldier, Thomas ‘Tommo’ Peaceful (Shane O’Regan), facing the firing squad for cowardice. As Tommo sits in his cell awaiting sunrise, he thinks back on the events that made him the person he is today. Tommo recounts memories of growing up with his elder brother, Charlie. They did everything together. They went to school together, faced their problems together, slept and ate together; they even loved the same girl… but now they have to face the many facets of war together. Can a bond and loyalty between brothers overcome the brutality of the front lines and bring them safely home? When the lines of heroism and cowardice collide, what can one man or even a brother do to fight the injustices of it all? The play highlights the dreadful horrors of war while celebrating the joyfulness of life.