The Accrington Pals - by Peter Whelan

Directed by Philip Wells

Performance Dates: 25th - 28th February 2009

 

Read through: Monday 17th November

Audition:        Monday 24th November

 

The Accrington Pals received it’s first performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1981 and, unlike some 1980’s theatre, it is a classic which deals with issues that are every bit as relevant today as then. Perhaps, with British troops currently fighting on foreign soil, even more so.

 

The bittersweet story tells of three of the hundreds of men of Accrington and it’s environs who joined up, served at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 during the First World War and would pay the ultimate price. Pehaps more importantly, the play also deals with the women and families they left behind -- the wives, sweethearts, friends and neighbours. The action takes place between the autumn of 1914 and July 1916.

 

Cast:

 

May - a stall holder, late 20’s or older

Eva - a mill girl - 17 years plus

Sarah - a married mill worker, Mid 20’s

Bertha - a mill girl - 18 years old

Annie, housewife late 30’s

Ralph - a clerk, 17 years plus

Tom, an apprentice, 19 years

Arthur - Annie’s husband, late 30’s

Reggie - Arthur and Annie’s son, 14/15 years

C.S.M.Rivers - a regular soldier, 30’s or 40’s

 

For more information please give Phil Wells a call on 01460 55935