Private Peaceful

Just got back from a surprise trip to see Private Peaceful at the Derby Assembly Rooms. What a fantastic show - I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's the story of two brothers who go off to fight in the first world war. One of the brothers is eventually shot for cowardice for refusing to leave a bunker in no mans land for a certain death. The story is told by author Michael Morpurgo from the point of the younger brother (Thomas Peaceful) as he spends the night before his elder brother Charlie faces the firing squad at 6am. He spends the night recalling their lives from childhood. Interspersed with the narrative are acapella songs from local group acapella group Coope, Boyes and Simpson.

Although it was dark in the auditorium it was obvious that there were tears being shed as Michael described how Charlie walked out to face the firing squad, singing Oranges and Lemons as he went.

I hear that it is being made into a film - it is likely to be a great hit.

Go and see it - tell them Snapper sent you  - won't get you in any cheaper and to be honest they won't have a clue who the heck you're talking about !