As part of its autumn programme of curated work, Sherman Theatre will present Michael Mears one-man show This Evil Thing from September 25-26.
A rarely told story of the men who said no to war; and the men and women who supported them; This Evil Thing involves a dizzying journey from a chapel in Yorkshire to the House of Commons; from an English country garden to a quarry in Aberdeen; from a cell in Richmond Castle to a firing squad in France. With military conscription, still in force in many countries today, and prisoners of conscience still languishing in jails, the questions posed by This Evil Thing are as relevant and urgent as they were one hundred years ago.
Michael Mears believes he has inherited a ‘pacifist gene’ – but he’s not sure where from – as his own father and grandfather fought in both world wars. This Evil Thing explores the courage it took to be a pacifist in the First World War, one hundred years ago – following two men : Bert Brocklesby, a young schoolteacher, and preacher at his local Methodist church; and Bertrand Russell – one of the greatest philosophers of his time. With the advent of military conscription in 1916, their worlds are turned upside down.
Michael Mears portrays a gallery of characters from conscientious objectors to army generals, from Prime Ministers to world-famous mathematicians, using verbatim testimonies and interacting with an intricate soundscape. At its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe 2016 This Evil Thing received four-star reviews and acclaim from audiences and press alike:
- The suggested age is 14+ For ticket information call 029 2064 6900 or visit shermantheatre.co.uk