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'King and Country' Set To Stun and Awe at Neston Civic Hall This Week

Anticipation is high as Neston Players return to the stage in ‘King and Country', the fourth in their five year play cycle to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

‘King and Country' is set during WW1 in the British Trenches at Passchendaele. Whilst previous plays in the cycle have focused upon the effect of war upon community (‘The Accrington Pals'), family (‘My Boy Jack') and the leaders and the led (‘Henry V'), this play will examine the effect of war upon individuals and how ordinary men survive in extraordinary and appalling circumstances.

Dan Short plays 'Hamp'

Neston Players' Chairman, John Lees said: "‘King and Country' is a challenging play to direct and Martin Riley has done an excellent job. The play is set in a different time to today, where people had little understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which we now know affected so many.

"Between 1914 and 1918, the British Army identified 80,000 men with what would now be defined as symptoms of shell-shock."

In the production, after enduring four years of battle, Private Arthur Hamp one day walks away from the battle, but the army takes notice and Hamp is court-martialled for desertion. His guards, the officer defending him and the Padré all try to make Hamp realise the court could impose a death sentence, but Hamp has utter faith in his counsel and that the army will not bother with the likes of him.

Lead actor Daniel Short commented: "Playing Private Hamp has been both a blessing and, I would suppose, a curse. I have enjoyed every second of it; of this there is no doubt in my mind, however parts of the play have definitely had a profound and often turbulent emotional effect on me and almost all of the cast.

"It has been difficult to be so close to a story that could have come from any one of thousands of young men sent off to war in 1914, however I consider it a duty and a privilege to remind audiences that, just over 100 years ago, hundreds of young men - just like Hamp - were put to death simply for having had enough of the bloodshed."

The cast recently took a research trip out to the National Arboretum in Staffordshire, which has an area full of wooden posts in memory of all of those ‘shot at dawn' for desertion, many just 17 years old. This was an insightful and educational trip for the team, to see the scale of the issues depicted in the play and hear stories of the men affected, similar to Private Hamp.

One of the illustrative panels on display at the National Arboretum.

While the cast are readying for the show this week, John adds: "Neston Players has a great community spirit and many of our members have no desire to act on stage, but really enjoy helping behind the scenes instead. I joined four years ago simply to help with selling programmes, but the ‘bug' bit me and it wasn't long before I was invited onto the committee as well as acting in three productions.

"We are keen to increase our membership, so if you would like more information just get in touch and we will be happy to have a chat."

View a trailer of the production here.

(Courtesy of Dan Fox, Chat Noir Productions)

Tickets and Times

Neston Players' production of ‘King and Country' will be performed at Neston Civic Hall from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th November. Doors open 7.00pm, performances begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £9.00 for evening performances. Concessions (£7.00) are available for Wednesday and Thursday evenings only.

Tickets are available from: The Brown Horse, Neston; My Gift Place, Neston; Neston Natural Health & Beauty Clinic, and Moskitos Coffee House Parkgate.

Alternatively you can book online with NCYC by clicking the link on our website, www.nestonplayers.co.uk.

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Comments

ACemefcee

At 19:47 on 9th November 2017, ACemefcee commented:

I was fortunate enough to see the opening night. Neston Players as usual impressed with this superbly acted, poignant drama. Special mentions for Dan Short in the main role, and Charles Riley who never fails to command a stage.

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Rob Ward

At 09:12 on 10th November 2017, Rob Ward commented:

I cannot speak too highly of this superb production. It's not easy, but it is good to be reminded that 100 years ago people with shell shock faced public execution. Our society has improved in that respect.
If you can get tickets for tonight or tomorrow, I would recommend it. We are fortunate in Neston to have drama of such calibre within walking distance.

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