The Conquering Hero

WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL - SATURDAY 9 JUNE

Directed by Auriol Smith

Designed by Sam Dowson
Lighting by John Harris

''I cannot recommend too highly this play about the first world war ... Auriol Smith's production does rich justice to the complexity of Monkhouse's arguments and boasts a startling performance from Simon Harrison ... among the finest of the anti-war plays.' FOUR STARS, The Guardian

Written in 1923, this play by the author of Mary Broome, which was such a success last year, is set in a military family on the eve of the outbreak of the First World War. As the war approaches, the family is torn by the differing attitudes to the coming conflict. Conscientious objections to war are not easy principles to espouse at such a time and in such a family.
'Those that we call traitors may be the heroes - the men of conscience and ideals. It's my work to look into men's souls. It's truth I want, not this blatant simplicity. We are to be all one now. What a time! The day of the cheap patriot has come.'

A powerful and moving play by an author the Orange Tree is proud to have 're-discovered'. Like Mary Broome, The Conquering Hero is directed by Auriol Smith.

Cast:
Jonathan Christie
Claudia Elmhirst
Julian Forsyth
David Gooderson
Simon Harrison
Chris Heyward
Miranda Keeling
Joan Moon
Jack Sandle

Running time: Act 1 1 hour 5 minutes, 15 minute interval, Act II 45 minutes.

Saturday Seminar: £10 (£8 concessions)