Actor Isaacs to star in Greek tragedies to raise funds for veterans charity
JASON Isaacs is to help bring to life scenes from two Greek tragedies in an online production staged on behalf of a veterans charity in Scotland.
The actor, known for his work in the Harry Potter and Star Trek franchises, will remotely perform scenes from Ajax and Philoctetes with Lesley Sharp and David Elliot tonight.
It will help support the work of Bravehound, a charity based in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, that provides specialist support dogs to former members of the armed forces suffering from PTSD and other mental health problems.
Bravehound has partnered with Theatre of War Productions for the performances of Sophocles’s work, aiming to highlight the visible and invisible wounds of war with panellists and an audience discussion afterwards.
Isaacs said: “Before Bravehound existed, Fiona (Macdonald) who runs it was doing various other charity things for soldiers. She’s been involved a lot and been doing a lot of stuff around (war poets) Wilfred Owen and Sassoon and making sure that they were commemorated, she’s been involved in the armed forces and various different aspects of PTSD charities for a long time.
“Theatre of War was something I knew from my friends who had done it in America and when there was a chance to introduce Fiona to Brian (Doerries, Theatre of War’s artistic director) and let it happen in Britain they seem like the perfect match, so I’ve been involved from way back when Bravehound was just a puppy.
“Whenever the opportunity comes up to be of service or be of use, it’s a rare thing for an actor to do something that isn’t self-serving, and this is using what little skills I have to put something good in the role and to kind of open up channels and doors to help heal other people.
“Bravehound is a terrific little charity... it’s not an exaggeration or hype to say that the dogs have saved their lives.”
During lockdown, Isaacs has been at home with his wife and two children, and he acknowledged his “comfortable” circumstances which he is “very grateful” for.
The actors will not have much interaction with each reading from different locations, but they will be led by Theatre of War’s artistic director Bryan Doerries.
He will also facilitate the audience discussion after the scenes are read to help some open up and talk about their experiences.
Bravehound founder Fiona Macdonald said: “Having co-presented Theatre of War performances over five years, we have seen first-hand the power of the production to stimulate conversations which are very difficult for veterans, and those closest to them, to have. It makes them realise they are not alone.