Cast announced for Private Peaceful!
The cast for the new, forthcoming tour of Michael Morpurgo’s hugely popular novel Private Peaceful has been announced! In this one-man show, the leading role of Private Tommo Peaceful will be shared by Paul Chequer and Andy Daniel.
Paul has already played the role of Tommo, in the original production of Private Peaceful. He performed at the Bristol Old Vic, the Edinburgh Fringe, the Soho Theatre and at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. At this last run, presented by the Royal National Theatre, he shared the role with Mark Quartley. They were jointly nominated for Best Solo Performance at the Whatsonstage.com Awards.
Paul Chequer also appeared in the 2012 film of Private Peaceful, in the role of the Corporal. He is perhaps best known on TV for the role of Jamie Collier in the Channel 4 drama As If (2001 – 2004). He also appeared as Nathan in the BBC Three drama Sinchronicity. His numerous theatre appearances include Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse at the National Theatre.
Unlike Paul, this will be Andy Daniel’s first time playing Private Tommo. He has a long list of theatre credits to his name, including:
- Journey’s End (UK Tour and West End)
- The Railway Children (Theatre By The Lake, Keswick)
- History Boys (Theatre by The Lake, Keswick)
- Beautiful Thing (UK Tour)
- Doctor Faustus (Stratford Circus)
- Fermentation (Bristol Old Vic Theatre Studio).
We are excited to see what new elements he will bring to the role!
Background to Private Peaceful stage production
First published in 2003, Private Peaceful was adapted for the stage by Simon Reade. The one-man show had its world premiere in 2004 to great acclaim, and went on to sell out tours across the country.
The Private Peaceful tour will embark on this UK tour 5th March – 28th June 2014, marking the centenary of WWI. The tour is presented by Scamp Theatre and Fiery Angel and will have up to 4 daytime performances in the week, to suit school parties. Find out more about it and about the cast announced for Private Peaceful here.
Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night, he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in rural Devon. He reimagines everything, from his exciting first days at school to the injustices that brought him to the front line.
Michael Morpurgo comments:
“2014 marks the Centenary of the First World War. One hundred years on we are all connected to the war, either through our own family history, the heritage of our local communities or because of its long-term impact on society and the world we live in today.”
The adaptor Simon Reade also directs, with Mark Leipacher as associate director. The production also features original design by Bill Talbot and original lighting design by Tim Streader. Additional lighting design for this touring production is by Wayne Dowdeswell, with sound design by Jason Barnes.
Performances suitable for ages 8+
