ART will imitate life when a World War 1 opera, inspired by the true stories of local soldiers, is performed.
WW1: a Village Opera - penned by Newport-based writer Peter George - tells the story of Llangwm brothers Tom and Will, who are recruited and sent to France on the eve of the Battle of the Somme.
Peter was inspired by research carried out by the Llangwm Local History Society, the group behind the opera and the accompanying war-related exhibition, which uncovered the story of brothers James and Edwin John.
Their mother was from Llangwm Ferry. During fighting outside Lens in Northern France, Edwin was hit by a sniper bullet. James died as he held Edwin’s body.
Peter says the Society’s research provided him with invaluable “local colour” and information about the daily lives of the community between 1914 and 1918.
The opera and the accompanying exhibition – Llangwm Village Hall, November 4-10 - are funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Opera performance dates are November 12 and 13 at Cleddau Reach VC School, November 15 at Newport Memorial Hall, and November 28 and 29 at Haverfordwest’s Merlin Theatre.
Purchase opera tickets from: Victoria Bookshop, Haverfordwest; Llangwm Village shop; Gate2Plate Farmshop, Lower Freystrop; Newtown Stores, Hook; Seaways Bookshop, Fishguard and Neport Post Office.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here