THE FIRST
THE FIRST
A play about WWI for younger audiences by Jayne Williams
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THE FIRST Writer Jayne Williams
A work of fiction inspired by local Leicester based stories of The First World War, with special thanks to the Braunstone History Group. First performed as a Libraries tour, October to December 2014 for ages 10+ as part of the Global Centenary Commemorations of the First World War.
Director Adel Al-Salloum Actor Gary Lagden Musician Aelfwyn Shipton
2016 East Midlands Tour of Libraries and Museums Commissioned by The Spark Arts for Children Supported using public funding by The National Lottery through Arts Council England 3
BIOGRAPHIES Gary Lagden - Actor Gary comes from Port Talbot, South Wales and trained as an actor at RADA. Since graduating in 1994 he has acted in over 70 productions. He has toured nationally and internationally, including work in Russia, Denmark and Azerbaijan. He has worked for many companies including Manchester's Royal Exchange, Theatre Centre, The Touring Consortium, Tangere Arts, The Young Vic, The Royal Court and Nottingham Playhouse Roundabout. This is the third time he will directed by Adel Al-Salloum. Gary has just directed Macbeth for the Foundation Course at RADA and Much Ado About Nothing for their Shakespeare in Action course. Last year he directed Othello for the BA students at RADA. He has also directed T.I.E. shows for Tangere Arts, and Shakespeare and Ibsen productions for Mountview Acadamy. Aelfwyn Shipton - Musician A unique performer, Aelfwyn is an international freelance violinist and composer who is on a mission to explore the musical language through her instruments and voice. From session playing to aerial violin, Aelfwyn lives and breaths music. She enjoys collaborating with other artists (Arbor Circus, Inverted Dance Company), musicians (including Muse and Antonio Forcione) and DJs from around the world and has most recently been working on a loop pedal set to explore creative avenues in electronic music. In addition performing at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and events, including the O2 (Muse) and Glastonbury (Arcadia), Aelfwyn is also responsible for the creation of the world’s only mirrorball violin act, Mirabelle, an LED act and an aerial violin act. With a passion to bring together visual and auditory excellence, Aelfwyn is at home building innovative acts to entertain and engage audiences from all walks of life.
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Jayne Williams - Writer Jayne Williams is a writer/theatre maker specialising in devised, autobiographical and community theatre, with a 15 year history of creating award winning arts engagement initiatives. Jayne has worked closely with The Spark Arts for Children since 2014 as Writer in Residence in Library settings where she enjoys writing stories with and for children young people and families. Adel Al-Salloum - Director Adel Al-Salloum has been Director of The Spark since 2012. Prior to joining The Spark, Adel worked extensively as an Associate Director for both Northern Stage Ensemble and Curve Leicester. Adel's experience is in creating theatre for children and young people and finding ways in which people of all ages and abilities can access great art. The work has ranged from creating multi sensory installations for children under 5, to large scale community productions involving 100 members of the community, to commissioning playwrights to create new material for children and young people. As a Creative Facilitator and Director Adel is passionate about the arts and the transformative power it can have on our lives. Directing credits include The First by Jayne Williams & A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Stuart Melton (The Spark Arts), The Long Road by Shelagh Dalagny (Curve Productions), Gulliver's Travels, Cosmos & The Icarus Project by Peter Rumney (Curve Collaboration with Dragon Breath Theatre), Palace of Fear by Philip Osment & Mine by Linda Marshall Griffiths (Leicester Haymarket Theatre) The Happy Prince by Annie Wood & The Elves & The Shoemaker by Mike Kenny (Northern Stage).
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INTRODUCTION In 2014 I was Writer in Residence at The Brite Centre in Braunstone, Leicester, as part of a year-long partnership project between The Spark Arts for Children and Leicester Libraries. I was invited to write a play for younger audiences that would commemorate the centenary of The Great War. I wanted to tell a story that the young people I had been working with would connect to, with identifiable characters that may have played in the fields that are now the social housing estates where those young people live. I worked with the Braunstone History Group, a dynamic team of local residents who met weekly in the The Brite Centre. They were determined to uncover their local history and hand it over to future generations and I admired their tenacity to make things happen. I owe them so much for their generosity in sharing the local historical facts alongside their personal family stories, one of which features in the play. The First is a story about friendship; of two boys from Braunstone who grow together, play together and enter the Great War together. These identifiable local characters take us on an extraordinary journey – a story that hopefully stirs the emotions and develops an excitement for reading and writing, and inspires young people to discover/tell their own local stories. The title is simply to reflect that this was ‘The first, but not the last’.
Jayne Williams
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Š Jayne Williams 2016. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of the author. Design & Typography by Mooli
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank The Braunstone History Group especially Helen, who our Helen in the play is named after. To Allan who turned 90 five weeks before we opened The First, and shared his father’s story of fighting in WWI at the age of 17. His was the story of making a pact with his best mate to pee in the river Rhine if they survived. Sadly Allan passed away before the play was performed but his family were able to see it. To the young people of Braunstone who helped create the characters, just by being themselves. The Brite Centre and all the staff who helped and supported the development of the play and hosted the premiere. To all the Libraries and Museums that went on to host in 2016. To Adel Al Salloum for the best dramaturgy and direction any writer could wish for. To actor Gary Lagden for making the characters come to life. To Adel and Gary and musician Aelfwyn Shipton and the whole creative team for making a good play great. The Spark Arts for Children for making it all happen and to Arts Council England and First Art for funding.
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THE FIRST This is a story of The Great War The First of all World Wars The First World War This is also a story of friendship Two best friends The greatest friendship there’s ever been Between Jack and Freddie, Freddie and Jack Two boys from Leicester This is just one story One story amongst many Many hundreds of thousands of stories Some shared by soldiers who survived the Great War Others never dared to be aired out loud This is our story The First Freddie and Jack, Jack and Freddie Born just a few days apart Living just a few doors down From each other Destined to be best friends The best there’s ever been Fred or Frederick if he’d been bad Tall at aged five The tallest in his class Carries round a stick of wood which created such fun He imaged it to be a lethal weapon, a bayonet - a gun.
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Fred:
Bang Bang you’re dead Go on then, lie down dead Jack
Jack:
What for Fred?
Fred:
‘Cos I said so...you’ve been shot...I shot you
Jack who found fun Being shot by his best friend’s pretend gun Plays along Jack:
Ok...this is me...dying...dying...dead
Fred:
Good
Jack:
Thanks Fred
Fred:
Shhhhh, Jack, you’re supposed to be dead
The bell is rung And Mr Hitchins screeches Mr Hitchins:
Come on you leaches Time to suck up some important information To aid your education Work hard and you’ll achieve more than the lot That you have currently got Better than the rotten hand you’ve been dealt Anyway
No-one knows what Mr Hitchins is going on about Or even how dealt is spelt But they smile and nod willingly 12
All lining up 48 knobbly knees in a wiggly line Standing to attention For the afternoon’s lesson But there is a strange tension in the air Mr Hitchins singles out two lads Who’ve had a playground spat Over a cricket bat and ball Mr Hitchins:
You are young boys now Yet When you are men And trouble comes knocking at your door Which it will What shall you do?
Fred:
What’s he going on about Jack?
Jack:
I haven’t a clue
Mr Hitchins:
In this world there are quarrels Much bigger than that Of a bat and a ball There are powers that be Much greater than I That put such disputes into insignificance
Fred:
What, there are people more important than you Sir?
Mr Hitchins:
Hard to believe isn’t it young boy Leaders, Dictators, decision makers A hierarchy of men considered to be better than you Or me When they disagree 13
When they argue In their playground It is you who will be called upon To take sides To fight their battle Be mindful of that, boys When your bat and ball Is all you have to fight over Lectures like this were quite regular From Mr Hitchins Sometimes the boys would take it all in Other times It would seep out of one ear Just as quick as it was being fed in Through the other But he meant well Mr Hitchins The boys called him ‘Scratch’ On account of kids never pronouncing The ‘H’ in his name
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Jack:
Yes Mr ‘itchins No Mr ‘itchins
Fred:
Three bags full Scratch
Mr Hitchins:
What did you say boy?
Fred:
Nothing Sir It’s just Jack He’s got an itch on his back that I was helping him to scratch
Mother In our story - The First There is one mother Mother:
Put that down
Mother frowns at Jack as his spindly stick-like starving fingers Reach out to pinch an inch of bread off the table Mother:
We pray before we eat young man. Jack, you know that the joy in our food Comes from seated prayer to the Lord that giveth
Jack wondered what joy one could get From stewed carrot and dry bread Fred however loved any food That Jack’s mum put in front of him All sat upright around the table With knife and fork It seemed so nice to share food as a family With eyes closed tight Hands clasped shut A mumble from the bible Jack:
Our Father, who art in heaven Give us this day our daily bread Forever and ever our men. Now please mum, can we eat?
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Fred hoovers up his food Faster than the three sisters So that he and Jack get the lion’s share
Freddie’s Family Freddie doesn’t have a mother She sadly died when giving birth to her son Frederick met her briefly When he popped out But with his eyes clamped tight He never saw his mothers loving face Peering at him with pride Freddie has a father but no brothers or sisters Just him and his dad Although that seems quite sad, it’s not Fred spends most of his time round at Jack’s house Where Jack’s mum cares for Freddie Darns his school socks and hems his shirt sleeves Jack’s sisters tease Freddie As much as they please A bit like an extended family When Jack and Frederick were naughty The punishment was dished out equally Told off just like proper brothers would be Mother:
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I’ll bang your bloody heads together Just look at those grazed knees and mucky hands You’re like a couple of farmyard animals Rolling about in the dirt
Jack:
Sorry mum
Fred:
Sorry Mrs Townsend
Freddie builds a den Jack and Fred, Freddie and Jack Born just a few days apart Not brothers by blood But siblings at heart Fred:
Look Jack, I've made a den
Jack:
Good for you. Can I come in then?
Fred:
Friend or Foe?
Jack:
Sorry?
Fred:
Are you a friend or a foe Jack?
Jack:
Well I don't know do I
Fred:
Foe is the enemy
Jack:
Oh Friend then Fred...friend
Fred:
You may enter
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Jack:
It's a bit cosy Freddie
Fred:
It’s got to be small Jack, or the enemy will spot us
Jack:
Well, if the enemy is just a partially sighted old lady We should be safe
Fred:
I spent hours on this den Jack; it’s our very own hideaway
Jack:
Fred, you put a flag on the top
Fred:
Yes Jack, so you could find me
Jack:
Your so called enemy will also see that flag Fred Unless she’s got a cataract in both eyes
Fred:
If the flag bothers you that much Jack, take it down
Freddie’s flag is a black triangle With a white skull Scrawled on with chalk
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Jack:
What does it mean anyway?
Fred:
It shows we mean business, Jack We’re not afraid We can fight our way through any attack We are strong and brave Like Mr Hitchins says
Jack:
This is Braunston Freddie, not the Boer war
Fred:
War can break out anytime anywhere Best to be prepared You can be lookout
Jack:
Argh mate
Fred:
What?
Jack:
There’s an old lady on the approach Better run quick She’s walking with a stick
Fred:
Shut up Jack You’re not welcome in my den If you’re gonna take the mick Sorry pal I was just pulling yer leg I’ll take it seriously from now on Fred Promise
Jack:
Look, I’ll put yer flag back up Show the enemy that we’re proud To be brothers in arms Fighting strong Together Fred:
Thanks Jack
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Trouble at the Coliseum Saturday morning, the children’s matinee The old Coliseum Picture Theatre on Melton Road Jack and Fred sneak in for free To see the silent movies Cowboys and Indians Chasing and shooting Shooting and chasing Sat at the back Watching stories about good versus evil With espionage and spies Always ending with some poor woman Tied to a train track With the words ‘to be continued...’ Across the screen Freddie and Jack get caught sneaking out
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Mother:
What have I told you about these moving pictures? They mess with your brain Give you ideas above your station Wait ‘til I tell your teacher
Jack:
But mum...
Scratch Mr Hitchins:
You boys must learn some stern lessons You were born to conform Not play about with ideas in your heads Your minds are full of stories But they should be filled with facts I’m all for imagination But this type of trouble and strife Won’t get you a good job Or a nice wife
Two boys dressed in identical everyday jerseys Shirts Shorts Long socks Boots that lace up to the top Playing in the street Playing on the causeway Playing, laughing, having fun
Older boys now A challenge is on the horizon To climb the tallest tree Fred:
I reckon With the skills that you and me have got We could climb this tree
Jack:
Right to the top Fred?
Fred:
To the highest branch at least
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Jack: Fred:
But that must be about 300 foot Fred? I never had you down as a scaredy cat Jack
Our two boys make a pact to climb their tree The tallest tree in Leicester They spit in each hand Shake on their plan Fred:
Who ever gets to the top first is the winner The loser has to wash the pots For a week
Jack:
You’re on
And they’re off Clawing and scraping at the bark In a desperate race they both want to win Shimmying up from branch to branch Attacking every inch of the tallest tree With sheer agility And speed Fred gets ahead of Jack Using his longer legs to his advantage A gust of wind sends leaves spiralling down to the ground The tallest tree lets out a massive grown As if it knows our two boys Are using its stature To battle against each other Jack Startles A squirrel landing on his head 22
Loses his balance Fred seizes the chance to race ahead Scrambling higher, higher He hears an ear-splitting scream Jack’s grip has gone and he begins falling Falling, from their tallest tree A huge thud Jack lies flat on his back No movement Fred still clinging to the tree trunk Fred:
Jack! ....Jack!
Fred scuttles down the tree Scraping his hands Splintering his knees Desperate to see if his pal is ok Fred:
Jack
He looks down at his best pal Lying lifeless on the ground Fred:
Say something Jack Open your eyes mate You win I’ll wash the pots Just tell me you’re ok pal
Freddie and Jack, Jack and Freddie Born just a few days apart Living just a few doors down From each other Destined to best friends Forever 23
Our boy Freddie Wears a heavy frown On his face A single tear appears out of Freddie’s eye And slaps onto Jack’s left cheek Jack:
Euw! Stop slobbering on me Freddie
Fred:
You’re alive Oh Jack I thought you were a goner
Boys finish school and enter the world of work At the age of twelve Education is shelved In favour of a job A job of work Jack joins... Jack:
The Midland Free Press on Belvoir Street We print a paper with Children’s Corner A kid’s story every week With hand drawn pictures And puzzles to complete
Jack’s sisters learn how to make shoes and boots And Freddie becomes...
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Fred:
A delivery boy Pulling my heavy cart of produce for sale It’s hard work
There’s a brand new wooden Scout hut Which Freddie and Jack pass after work Fred:
Look at them Jack
Jack:
Girls
Fred:
Girls
Fred:
Do you have a favourite Jack?
Jack:
I like the redhead best Fred She reminds me of my auntie Vera
Fred:
That’s just wrong Jack
Jack:
Noooo I mean she seems friendly and kind All the other girls seem to like her What about you Freddie? Do you have your eye on one girl in particular?
Fred:
That girl there with the blond hair Jack She’s everything you’d want in a lady She’s my May Queen
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The May Queen It’s the annual May Day celebrations Everyone’s out on the street Waving flags and cheering As the parade passes by Big brass bands Coconut shys Singing and dancing Fruit pies the size of your head A joyous event for the whole family Jack and Fred, however Wait by the stage For the crowning of the May Queen Who Freddie and Jack have seen Many a time Up at the Scout Hut Freddie’s May Queen
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Fred:
Lovely Helen She glides across the grass Trumpet blasts out Calling everyone to attention She lifts her dress Walks up the steps And addresses her adoring crowd
Helen:
I am so over-joyed to be crowned May Queen For the fifth year running...
Fred:
She smells of lavender
Jack:
Freddie and Helen sitting in a tree K.I.S.S.I.N...
Fred:
Alright Jack No need for all that I just think she’s quite exquisite
Jack:
Don’t you mean fit?
Fred:
Right that’s it...
Jack:
You gonna ask Helen to marry you Fred?
Fred:
You’re dead Jack!
Jack:
Oooo, you’re gonna have babies together Kissy kissy ‘I love you Helen’ ‘I love you Frederick’
Fred:
She’s got to notice me first
Helen:
What an honour At the age of sixteen To be given the chance To welcome in the spring By leading the dance Around the maypole
And so The Maypole dance begins Helen’s golden hair flings about As she swings the garlands of flowers Weaving in and out Wrapping them around the maypole Fred feels as though it is he Who is being wrapped up with florally love There are glances back and forth 27
Helen to Freddie Fred to Helen Fred can’t stop himself From tapping his feet on the sidelines In time with the music It’s like a mating dance Of the oddest kind Between a lady bird And a grasshopper But neither mind They are in a world of their own
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Jack:
Helen My best friend Freddie fancies you
Fred:
Jack, shut up!
Helen:
Is that true And what makes you think I’d give him a second glance?
Jack:
He’s handsome and tall He will give you all his undivided attention Fred’s the best friend anyone could hope for I know he’d make a great boyfriend For the right girl You should give him a chance
Helen:
Show us your muscles
Fred:
Eh?
Helen:
Roll up your sleeve Or are you too weak? If I’m going on a date I want to know I’m safe With a real man A man who can fight for his lady’s honour
And that was the start of the courtship Between Helen and Freddie Freddie and Helen
A passion of another kind Has created hot headedness Trouble has been brewing for some time Overseas However distant it may seem Europe sets the scene For a disagreement Much bigger than that Of the bat and ball In Freddie and Jack’s Old playground Governments clash and crash through borders All hell breaks loose
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Pack up Your Troubles in your old kit bag and smile Smile Smile Your County needs you Join the queue And fight for your King While you’ve a Lucifer to light your fag Smile boys that’s the style Be a hero Don’t be a coward Join up today What’s the use in worrying? It never was worth while So Become a British Tommie Pick up a gun and blow those German Jerry brains out Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and... As Germany invades defenceless Belgium Britain declares all out war Before the sun sets on the 4th of August 1914 This is the story of The Great War The First of all World Wars The First World War
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Signing up Fred:
My dad said He’d give me a clip round the ear hole If I didn't enrol
Jack:
My mum said Although she'd never wish me dead She thought I ought To sign up Show I'm brave
Mother:
You can learn how to shave Jack Leave boyhood behind Become a man
Fred:
We'll be fine It'll be an adventure
Mr Hitchins:
An experience that Working class lads like you Would otherwise never have
Fred:
I'll never get another chance To go to France
Jack:
I've only been as far as Skeggy
Fred:
The war will be done by Christmas We'll be back home Just as your mums brussels sprouts Are being dished out
Jack:
Oh god 31
Our two boys Fred and Jack, Jack and Freddie Stand in line To sign up their efforts in battle At the Glen Parva station of the Leicester PALS Regiment Sgt Major:
Aged 17? Don’t you mean 19 son? You can have a gun and travel abroad.
Jack:
I don’t want to end up in Welford Road Cemetery Sir
Sgt Major:
Don’t be so ridiculous lad Our troops have had Far superior training than that Of the German Army They won’t know what hit them When we get you lot out there Behind enemy lines Firing a machine gun Or planting a bomb
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Fred:
We get to fire guns Jack!
Sgt Major:
You lads will have a blast
Jack:
Will we fight together Sir? Freddie and me Brothers in arms
Sgt Major:
Yes son You shall do more harm To the enemy Fighting together as a team With the rest of your company
I shall send you to Flanders Field Fred:
France Sir?
Sgt Major:
The North East of her son The rest spanning across Part of Belgium Time to get ready chaps Say your goodbyes
Freddie takes Helen to the Tallest Tree Fred:
Helen, I’ve brought you here Into the woods Because I’ve got something very special to show you Before I go
Helen:
Frederick Slater, we’ve only been courting a few months
Fred:
Nooooooo, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick It’s this I want you to see
Helen:
What A load of trees?
Fred:
Not just any tree This tree The tallest tree
Fred explains how he and his pal Jack Have met here since they could remember 33
A secret meeting place Where they could sit back And relax With no worries Or fears If ever they find themselves in trouble This is the place they can be safe Under the strong bond Of friendship
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Helen:
Are you afraid Freddie?
Fred:
Afraid of what?
Helen:
Afraid of War
Fred:
If wrong doing has been done I would be proud to fight Britain’s battle Fight for King and for Country
Helen:
You are so brave Fred I do think I might... You know... Love you
Fred:
Might? Well I know that I love you Helen And when we win this war I’d like you to consider taking my hand...in marriage
Helen:
I do love you Fred And it’s you who takes my hand in marriage If that’s what you mean
Sergeant Major Sgt Major:
Stand up tall boys No slouching No stooping No rounded shoulders on soldier boys Stand proud That means you too boy! I have eyes in the back of my head I see everything Just like your teacher said You have to trust me now lads Otherwise you risk being dead Don’t worry about what we’re fighting for Your Governments decided You’ve said your goodbyes Now let’s set off for war
Fred:
Hey Jack If we pass the river Rhine Before we get to the frontline Promise me you’ll pee in it
Jack:
What?
Fred:
Pee in the German river
Jack:
What for Fred?
Fred:
Just for fun Argh, go on
Jack:
Ok 35
Fred:
Flanders hey Heck of a long way From our tallest tree In Braunston
Freddie and Jack, Jack and Freddie Born just a few days apart Living just a few doors down From each other Destined to be best friends The best there’s ever been Our two Leicester boys learn how to be soldiers Smoking their first cigarettes Drinking Rum Firing guns Getting fit Training to run fast Darting between sandbags Snacking on battle biscuits so tough They almost knock out teeth Trying to eat them Meeting other men from all over Britain Travelling to another country on Troop Trains On cattle trucks once over the border An adventure of the highest order Two boys from Leicester starring in their own moving picture A Western on the Western Front A ‘Shoot ‘em up’ Like the ones at the Melton Road Coliseum 36
Sneaking into their very own story A silent movie Making history Bravery and defiance Good versus evil
It’s a long way to Tipperary It’s a long way to go At the start of the war just 700,000 men in the British army Against 3.7 million in the German Army It’s a long way to Tipperary To the sweetest girl I know 250,000 young men join as volunteers Under the legal fighting age of 19 Good bye Piccadilly Farewell Leicester Square Civic Pride and community spirit Pits Cities against each other To recruit their Pals Battalions Friends, neighbours Fighting together It’s a long, long way to Tipperary And so it begins And so the credits roll No-one could believe how quickly the war had begun And they feared for how it might end 37
They'd send letters back and forth But very few spoke of the truth of battle The gruesome rattle of death in the trenches The beds they lay on With bodies buried beneath Their feet worn and torn from boots That took root within the trenches The first night Before the first day On the Frontline The Seargant Major made them write letters Just in case Jack:
Fred Fred Are you awake? Psssssssst
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Fred:
What?
Jack:
Are you awake?
Fred:
Aye
Jack:
What do you think the war is for Freddie?
Fred:
Freedom? The chance to think for ourselves Live the way we want to Freely I dunno What does it say in them papers you printed?
Jack:
That Germany is the enemy Monsters who invade and dictate We must attack and stop the rise of the German Empire
Fred:
Well there you go then We’re fighting to stop them taking away our freedom
Jack:
The papers say that blood has already been spilt Blood of everyday boys like us What if we meet them?
Fred:
Eh?
Jack:
What if we find out the everyday German guy is just Like you and me?
Fred:
They’re monsters Jack You said that yourself You’ve got to slay the dragon Before it breathes fire This isn’t just some small battle Jack This is a World War The Great War A war to end all wars We’ll go down in history as brave men That’s got to be worth the sacrifice
Jack:
Some men have already come back dead though Fred
Fred:
All the more need for us to wade in then I’ve always dreamt of being a rifleman Make my dad proud
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Jack and Freddie Never ones to Do as they’re told And yet Obeying the pointing finger of Lord Kitchener Plastered on every street corner The trenches The ditches The hovels They eat in Sleep in And fight the Great War from They may be children in age and appearance Freddie and Jack, Jack and Fred But in their minds they are men And they will fight Fight this war
Fred:
What did you say Jack...in your letter?
Jack:
Nothing deep Just, ‘I love you all’ What about you Fred?
Fred:
It’s a secret Are you scared Jack?
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The Frontline Standing proud Shoulder to shoulder Soldiers lining the Fields of Flanders Marching Moving forward Towards the Frontline Proudly approaching enemy lines Risking their lives Human ammunition
Jack:
The first time ever to see a dead body And there are 300 or more Right beneath our feet Dead man's land where dead men lay Breathing still With fear That never before we have felt No-one could prepare us For the wear and tear That war would have on us all Many men Darkness in their eyes Exploding stomachs Exposing their insides Guts lie by their side
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On my call This is it lads Over the top Fire at will Shoot to kill For King and Country Trench floor Fire step Sandbags On my orders Over the top Three Two One Charge Trench floor Fire step Sandbags On my orders Over the top Three Two One Charge
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Trench floor Fire step Sandbags On my orders Over the top Three Two One Charge
The afternoon of the first day on The Frontline Freddie is shot by a German Soldier A Jerry Shot in the head A bullet lodged inside his skull Despite that Jack holds onto the belief That his best friend Will be fighting fit again
Jack:
Freddie, Fred Open your eyes Look at me mate Remember what we said Brothers in arms Together We’ve got to pee in the Rhine Remember Look Fred The letter from mother It’s addressed to us both
Mother’s Letter:
The sun still rises and sets Whilst you are fighting this bloody war My dear boys I feel that the world has stopped turning Until you return home safe Just your mother worrying Not knowing if you are ok
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Hope they are feeding you well You’d both best return home Safe and sound Or I’ll bang yer bloody heads together Jack:
Fred A smile You can hear me then Fred? You’re awake How are you feeling? Rest Fred While I read to you pal Mum says there’ll be a round of Bread and ham when we get back As much as we can eat Says we’ve earned it You hear that Fred? Ham and bread We should write back Tell mum we’re both ok We told her we were off on an adventure I don’t want to tell her that it’s all gone Wrong You’ll get sent to hospital Fred And everything will be fine Mum says the girls are working In the munitions factories Says there are hundreds of them Young women Doing the job of a man
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Mother’s Letter:
Jack:
They’re making bombs and bullets for battle Strange to think These weapons the girls make by hand Will cross over hundreds of miles of land To be closer to you than we are now Sisters in arms she says You’ll never guess Fred Mum says your May Queen Has started her own football team Wearing shorts above their knees
Mother’s Letter:
After They raise a glass In the ale house Where Helen drinks to you Dearest Freddie We’re muddling through Though we all miss you Terribly
Jack:
Freddie don’t go to sleep Fred Keep your eyes open pal If not for me for Helen You’re fiancé I’m scared Fred Freddie... Fred Sir Sir He’s not breathing Sir 45
Freddie Fred Don’t leave me here I can’t fight without you by my side Remember what you said in the den? Brothers in arms You are a soldier Freddie Fight for me pal
The night of the first day The two best friends went over the top Freddie passed away From the first shot to his head The whites of his eyes steadily became yellow then green Some say there's a god in the sky Who decides when it is your day to die Jack did not believe this day was Freddie’s He was wrong Jack and Fred, Freddie and Jack They were sent like lambs to the slaughter With no thought of who Jack or Freddie might be Jack now with Freddie’s blood on his shirt It could have been him Perhaps it should have been He’d known Freddie all his life Not bad lads Trouble followed them wherever they went Yet here They were sent out to find it 46
Sgt Major:
Frederick Slater aged just 17 A brave boy His letter Jack Is addressed to you
Jack opens the note That his dear friend wrote The night before And all it says is Jack:
Meet me by the tallest tree
Freddie and Jack, Jack and Freddie Their short time together Fighting this Great War They saw them dying in their thousands Over there Where losing lives for King and country Is an act of bravery Those who survive are committed to a lifetime of memories Replaying the scenes of fatal injury Over and over And over Our story of the First World War The First But not the last Freddie and Jack, Jack and Freddie Born just a few days apart Living just a few doors down 47
From each other Destined to be best friends The best there’s ever been
The End
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ACTIVITIES Activities for Teachers and young people to do in class: We hope that The First will ignite the imaginations of enquiring minds. What follows are some suggestions of creative follow up activities that can take place in the classroom. Let our story of Freddie and Jack inspire the tales that you would like to tell.
The play Read the play as a whole class or smaller group, taking turns to be the different characters. Afterwards, discuss the WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN, WHO and HOW. Synopsis Write a Synopsis of the play, just one paragraph to describe the play to a person who might not have seen it, a bit like the blurb at the back of a book. Themes We think the main themes are; Friendship, Conflict, Love, Loss, War and Class Group Discussion - Discuss how these themes occur, and are represented in the play. Maybe you have discovered other themes? Drama - In groups, create a still image / photograph / tableaux with your bodies, to represent one of the themes. Share with the other groups and discuss the shapes you have created and why.
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Characters Discuss In Pairs - Who are the characters? Can you list the characters we meet in the play? Are there any characters mentioned, whom we don’t meet? Who are they? Drama – Using your list of characters, walk around the room as the character called out by the teacher, for example Freddie might be tall and brave, Helen might glide across the floor like a May Queen – explore how they all move and what they might say. After some time becoming the different characters, choose a character you would like to be and greet other characters around the room, see how they might interact with each other. Research – Find out why, during the First World War, British Soldiers were called ‘Tommies’ and German Soldiers were named ‘Jerries’. Question –Lord Kitchener is mentioned in the play; who was Lord Kitchener and what did he do?
Fact verses Fiction The story of The First is fiction with some facts weaved in. Class Discussion – Discuss which parts of the story and characters you think the writer might have made up as fiction. Can you identify the bits that are fact? Why might a writer create fictitious characters and scenarios around real life events, for a play?
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Geography – Can you find on a map, where Freddie and Jack fought in The First? Can you find out where all the battles were fought throughout the Great War from 1914 to 1918? History – It isn’t clear in the play how the First World War began. How did it become a ‘World War’? Can you find out how other countries got involved, when, why and what side they fought on? Can you create a timeline of events? You can use the timeline of the play on page 52 as a guide.
What happens to Jack? Creative Writing – The play ends with Jack losing his best friend Freddie, who dies in the first few moments of being on the Frontline. What happens to Jack next? Write a scene which tells us what happens to Jack, either describing the next moments, weeks, months or many years to come. Have a go at writing it in the style of The First, with a Narrator describing what is happening, with character dialogue in between. Drama – If you prefer to act out your ideas, work with a group as the characters and give them direction as to where your scene is set, what happens, how the characters are feeling about what’s happened and how the scene ends. Try out a few ideas using improvisation and create the script that way.
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STORY TIMELINE Compare the story timeline with the timeline of World War I. The play ends with Jack losing his best friend Freddie, who dies in the first few moments of being on the Frontline, in the first six months of the war. What happens to Jack next?
Freddie and Jack, Jack and Freddie Born just a few days apart Living just a few doors down 1902 our Leicester boys are five years old At School Mr Hitchens - Scratch Serves the boys a warning 1904 Freddie and Jack are 7 years old Freddie builds a den Friend or foe? 1906 Jack and Fred, aged 9 Tallest Tree Older boys now A challenge is on the horizon To climb the tallest tree 1906 our Leicester lads are now 11
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Boys finish school and enter the world of work At the age of twelve Education is shelved In favour of a job A job of work 1909 Aged 12 The May Queen Falling in love for the first time 1912 Freddie and Jack are 15 Trouble has been brewing For some time Overseas However distant it may seem Europe sets the scene For a disagreement 1914 Our boys are just 17
Signing Up My dad said He’d give me a clip round the ear hole If I did enrol We get to go abroad See the World I’ve only been as far as Skeggy 1914 Jack and Freddie are 17 The Frontline Standing Proud Shoulder to shoulder Soldiers lining the Fields of Flanders Marching Moving forward Towards the frontline 1914 Aged 17 Freddie Dies The night of the first day Two best friends went over the top Freddie passed away From the first shot to his head 1914 Still aged just 17
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jayne Williams is a Writer/Theatre Maker with an excitement and passion for telling the fascinating stories of ordinary, everyday working class people: bringing to life the extraordinary characters she encounted growing up. After graduating from Clarendon Performing Arts College in Nottingham, in the late nineties, Jayne toured schools as an actor/drama practitioner on various Theatre in Education initiatives before becoming Development Worker with Speakeasy Theatre Company. In 2005, Jayne became self employed and began to focus more on writing plays and making/devising theatre within the community, creating award winning arts engagement initiatives. Jayne’s first play ‘Bed & Breakfast’ was presented as a rehearsed reading, directed by Joyce Branagh at the 24/7 Manchester Theatre Festival in 2012 and in 2015, Jayne was invited to pitch her play ‘Coping with Colin’ as part of the shortlist for the Old Vic 12 – an achievement that she is quite proud of. In 2016, Jayne also wrote the play ‘Love. Life. No Sat-Nav’ for Unanima Theatre, an integrated company of adults with and without a learning disability and/or autism which toured to Nottingham, Playhouse, Lincoln Drill Hall and Attenborough Arts Centre.
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ABOUT THE SPARK The Spark Arts for Children is a registered charity which offers children and young people the opportunity to immerse themselves in the arts by experiencing a wide range of high quality work, which inspires, empowers and educates. We offer children the space to discover their own skills, passions and potential, as audience, participants and creators of their own work through a year round programme of Participation & Learning and Bespoke Events. The annual Spark Festival is the largest children’s arts festival in England and Wales, taking place every May & June. The festival presents the very best theatre, dance, music, visual arts and digital media events in Leicester schools, theatres and community venues. The Spark works to increase its impact on the creation and presentation of arts for children in the UK and beyond. www.thesparkarts.co.uk
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