Review: PRIVATE PEACEFUL, Birmingham Rep

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

Written by Michael Morpurgo (War Horse) and adapted by Simon Reade, Private Peaceful tells the story of two brothers.  Tommo and Charlie Peaceful. A tough rural childhood, the loss of their Father, financial hardship and a cruel landlord only makes their fierce loyalty to each other stronger.

Until one day they both fall in love with the same girl.  And then the Great War breaks out.

As 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful, alone in the trenches of WW1 takes us through the journey of his memories.  We witness a story of courage, devotion, family and friendship and the lengths a young soldier will go to for what is right.

Directed by Elle While, the stage design is simple, yet effective, as we are transported from Tommo’s childhood, thru his Father’s death and into the trenches.  Whilst we can’t even begin to imagine what life was like fighting in the middle of a war, for a short moment we are there with them amongst the darkness and the mist.

Daniel Boyd takes on the role of Charlie opposite Daniel Rainford as Tommo. The bond between the brothers is evident and there is never a doubt that they will stick together for as long as they possibly can.

John Dougall plays so many roles, it is hard to keep count! Each one entirely different from the rest, but all equally believable, none-more so than as Grandma Wolf!

There is just the right amount of humour and sadness in this story and the cast as a whole are seamless throughout. It’s truly a team production, just as Tommo’s story reflects too.

Heartfelt, engrossing and tragically real.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Private Peaceful plays at Birmingham Rep until 23 April (with tickets available here) and tours the UK until June.