Details

December 1914. As families across Europe gather to celebrate Christmas, a generation of young men find themselves far away from their loved ones in the trenches of the Western Front. There they face a world seemingly devoid of any peace or goodwill. But on Christmas Eve 1914, as the men of the Warwickshire Regiment shelter in their trenches, something astonishing happens. Across no-man's land they hear music. The German soldiers are singing Christmas carols; the same carols their families are listening to, hundreds of miles away in Birmingham, Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon. Leaving their trenches, carrying only their courage and their humanity, they go to meet their enemies; not to fight, but talk, to exchange gifts, to celebrate Christmas. And the next day, together, they play an unforgettable game of football. Inspired by real events of exactly 100 years ago, RSC Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman directs Phil Porter's uplifting new play for families that celebrates a remarkable Christmas story. Recommended for ages 9+

Cast/Performers

Joseph Kloska (Bruce Bairnsfather), Gerard Horan (Old Bill), Sam Alexander, Peter Basham, William Belchambers, Nick Haverson, Tunji Kasim, Sophie Khan Levy, Oliver Lynes, Emma Manton, Chris McCalphy, Peter McGovern, Frances McNamee, Chris Nayak, Jamie Newall, Roderick Smith, Flora Spencer-Longhurst, Harry Waller, Thomas Wheatley, Leah Whitaker.

Creatives/Company

Author: Phil Porter
Producer: Royal Shakespeare Company
Director: Erica Whyman
Design: Tom Piper
Lighting: Charles Balfour
Music: Sam Kenyon
Sound: Andy Franks