Bognor Regis return for the acclaimed World War One production Not About Heroes

Acclaimed World War One drama Not About Heroes makes a return to the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor Regis this March for a one-off performance.

After receiving overwhelming audience feedback and rave reviews, the play returns on Thursday March 3, before embarking on a regional tour later this year.

A cast of just two actors, James Etheridge (Owen) and William Hackett (Sasoon), will bring to life a play that is an intimate and tender, Will says – and “a powerful example of the importance of human connection, emotional strength and personal resilience in very difficult times.”

Will explained: “More than 100 years on from the beginning of the First World War, Stephen Macdonald’s Not About Heroes is both exhilarating and uncompromising in its exploration of love, war and a friendship that changed the face of British poetry.

“Told by means of letters and poetry, with an original score by Stephen Hackshaw and directed by renowned local director Jonathan Goodwin, this unforgettable story paints a vivid picture of the Great War and the poetic life and relationship between two of its finest poets – Wilfrid Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.”

It was the company’s first drama production in nearly two years when it took to the stage in Bognor Regis last October.

It had been postponed twice.

“It’s a really beautiful two-hander that’s been reimagined for this production and there are lots of parallels between this story and what we’ve all been through.”

Last autumn as James said,

Not About Heroes

the timing of the play, as we were slowly coming out of lockdown and started looking optimistically towards the future, was quite significant “after a turbulent 18 months where we’ve all been forced to separate from loved ones and denied that essential human contact we all need.”

Director Jonathan Goodwin, said: “Many people may know some of the poems of these great WWI poets, but nothing about the men themselves. Our unique adaptation explores the secrets in their lives, and reveals what drove them to write and inspire each other.

“The audience is allowed to see the growth of a beautiful and private side to these men.

“Love and friendship is something that connects us all. I am so excited that we have the opportunity to share this untold story.

“The audience is given the opportunity to peer behind the historical facade into the private lives of these incredible men.

“In a year of so many challenges and moments of sadness, we want to share 90 minutes of something quite beautiful that we hope will allow you to see the poems of these greats with new eyes.”

Not About Heroes will play for one performance only on Thursday, March 3 at 7.30pm. Tickets start from £10 and can be booked by ringing the Regis Centre box office on 01243 861010 or by visiting www.alexandratheatre.co.uk