A TOUCHING TRIBUTE

As the nation comes together this weekend to mark the Armistice, a poignant part will be remembered in new ways

A groundbreaking collaboration between the Marlowe Theatre, five east Kent communities and the Port of Dover comes together to stage Return Of The Unknown.

A year in the making, it is about the unknown soldier, who was to become the symbol of a nation’s remembrance.

The production will be staged in Dover Marine Station, now part of Dover Cruise Terminal, where First World War ambulances returned, the wounded were tended and the healing began.

A team of seven professional actors – including Ben Roddy, best known as the Marlowe Theatre’s pantomime dame – will be joined by 70 community performers, groups and schools for the performances this weekend.

Marlowe patron and War Horse author Sir Michael Morpurgo said: “All we can remember is what they have done, and the peace they gave us, a peace we must hold dear.

“All we can do is sing the anthem; tell the story.” Written by James Baldwin, the theatre’s literary associate, with Andy Dawson, head of artistic productions, and directed by Matt Costain (A Monster Calls, War Horse), it took more than a year of research to put together. Return Of The Unknown is at Dover Marine Station from Thursday, November 8 to Sunday, November 11, for ages 10 and over.

Tickets, priced £14.50, can be bought by calling 01227 787787 or visiting marlowetheatre.com.

Return Of The Unknown will be in Dover for four days. Right, actor Ben Roddy