Ahead of rehearsals, members of the 16-strong Soldier On visited their new home at London’s The Other Palace, where they will move in for five weeks from 24 October 2018. This new, extended London season for Jonathan Lewis’ extraordinary piece, based on and involving real servicemen and women, marks the centenary of the end of the First World War. Have a look at our photo gallery – and then get booking!
Following a sell-out national tour and stint earlier this year at London’s Playground Theatre, Jonathan Lewis‘ Soldier On runs at The Other Palace from 24 October to 24 November 2018, with a post-show Q&A chaired by MyTheatreMates co-founder Terri Paddock on 29 October and a press night on 30 October.
A passionate cast, many of them army veterans, bring their own experiences to life through a mix of storytelling, music, dance and mixed media that is hard-hitting, poignant and close to their own hearts.
With a company of 16 including injured veterans, the show explores what really happens when military personnel leave the army – through the journey of a group of soldiers who take up acting to help them recover from PTSD. It’s their words that do the talking in what one veteran, filmmaker Neil Davies, has named” The Full Military Monty”.
Putting the play’s premise into action, the cast includes serving and ex-service personnel working alongside other actors, in Amanda Faber’s award-winning theatre company The Soldiers’ Arts Academy cic.
The professional actors in the cast for the new dates at The Other Palace are: Bertie Portal (as Col Tom), David Soloman (Harry), Ellie Nunn (Sophie), Lizzie Mounter (Beth), Ex-Gladiator Mark Griffin (Rickshaw), Nicholas Clarke (Jacko/Donny), Rekha John-Cheriyan (Maggie), Tom Craig (Len) and Zoe Zak (Sal/Paula).
The veterans in the cast, many also returning, are: Cassidy Little (ex 42 Commando, Afghanistan and Peoples’ Strictly winner) who plays Woody; Hayley Thompson (ex Royal Army Medical Corps) is Trees; Max Hamilton-Mackenzie (ex Royal Green Jackets) is TC; Mike Prior (Army) is James/Cameron; Sarah Davis (Ex Army) is Tanya; Shaun Johnson (Royal Artillery, Northern Ireland) is Flaps; Steve Morgan (Army reserves) is Hoarse; and Drew Johnson (Army Air Corps) is the understudy.
Note: There is strong language and adult references throughout. Loud bangs and the sound of gunfire.
Photos
By Clare Lewington.