Death at Dawn, a new play by local writer Peter Mortimer, forms part of North Tyneside's commemoration of the start of the First World War.
The play is based on a real case, that of the young North Shields soldier William Hunter who was court-martialled and executed in France in 1916 for desertion. More than 300 soldiers were shot at dawn by the British Army in the Great War but Hunter's case is unusual because sentence was carried out even though the authorities believed at the time that he had signed on under-age.
In almost every other similar case, the death sentence was commuted. For reasons unknown, the sentence on Hunter was carried out. The play examines possible reasons and also explores the realities behind a policy that saw the army shoot its own men.
Produced by Cloud Nine Theatre Company and directed by Jackie Fielding, the play has a cast of twelve, both professional actors and drama students from North Tyneside.
Death at Dawn will be performed at the Linskill Centre in Noth Shields from 1 to 6 September.
Peter Mortimer is a well-established NE playwright from Whitley Bay and is also a BTG reviewer.