Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Simon Reade
Venue: Old School Thornhill
Dates: Friday 22nd May & Saturday 23rd May 2026

The Young Theatre Makers are back, following their productions of ‘5’24’(2024) and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Moon Dream’ (2025) they return to the stage at OST with this powerful tale of the courage of youth. 

An immersive production with live music, directed by Jessica Fusco-Naish, with a small ensemble cast of 12-15 year olds, this promises to be an evening of raw and honest theatre. Set against the backdrop of World War One, it is as relevant today as it was over 100 years ago.

The Peaceful brothers, Tommo and Charlie, have a tough rural childhood facing the death of their father, financial hardship and a cruel landlord. Their fierce loyalty to each other, and the love of their mother and older brother, pulls them through, until one day they both fall for the same girl. And then the Great War comes. 

The play tells the story of teenage boys fighting a war they don’t understand for people they cannot respect, while family at home live a parallel existence waiting for their boys to return. We join the Peaceful brothers in the trenches as they tell us a story of courage, devotion, friendship and sibling rivalry on what may be one of their last nights on earth. 

This version of Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Simon Reade, was first performed at Nottingham Playhouse on 12 February 2022. 

Nottingham Playhouse reviews:

“The horrors of war and the joyfulness of life are bound up together in this magnificent show” ***** - The Scotsman 

“As moving as the poetry of Wilfred Owen and as painfully memorable as white-hot shrapnel...” ***** - The Sunday Herald 

“Morpurgo’s magic, a masterly adaptation by Simon Reade.... This is one hour of your own life you will never forget.” - Daily Mail