For those not in the know, Private Peaceful is based on a 2003 novel of the same name by Michael Morpurgo, the author of War Horse.

This stage version has been written by Simon Reade and explores the lengths to which a young solider will go in order to fight for what is right.

The story charts eight hours in the life of Thomas ‘Tommo’ Peaceful as he recounts significant events in his past, along the way examining raw human emotions and experiences including love, loyalty and loss.
Tommo and his brothers, Big Joe and Charlie, are part of a loving family living in Devon who together survive the hardships of rural poverty during the Edwardian era.

In 1916 Tommo lies about his age and joins up to fight in the Great War with his protective older brother, Charlie. The Peaceful siblings are thrown into the muddy, bloody and murderous battlefields of France...

The cast of seven actors create two very believable worlds with minimal set, superb lighting and a selection of sounds depicting rural Devon and the explosive reality of war in the trenches. With the exception of Daniel Rainford (Tommo) and Daniel Boyd (Charlie), each cast member plays more than one role, establishing the different characters through clever use of choreography and song.

This is a powerful and poignant tale of youthful innocence annihilated by the misery and horror of war. Tommo’s joyful exuberance is exchanged for shell-shocked panic as he and Charlie are brutally exposed to the endless carnage - and one of them finds himself facing a court martial for disregarding orders. The injustice surrounding the execution of solders by firing squad is one of the story’s most powerful take-aways.

A gripping, heartbreaking yet tender tale of a country boy fighting a war he does not understand for people he cannot respect, this Nottingham Playhouse production is currently touring so make sure you catch it while you can.

Five stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull at The Rep, Birmingham on Tuesday 19 April where the production continues to show until Sat 23 April. Private Peaceful then plays Malvern Theatres from Tues 10 - Sat 14 May and The Belgrade, Coventry, from Tues 17 - Sat 21 May.