Full house standing ovation for wounded soldiers in West End
23 January 2012
Standing ovations from packed houses hailed a theatre company of wounded, injured and sick military personnel after two triumphant performances of a new play, The Two Worlds of Charlie F, based on their personal experiences of conflict and recovery on yesterday at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
The Armed Forces troupe known as Bravo 22 Company worked with The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust alongside Sir Trevor Nunn in a production funded by The Royal British Legion to support them in their recovery process.
The performances were attended by stars
of the stage and screen including Ray Winstone
with daughters Lois and Jaime, Michael Sheen,
Rachel McAdams, Andrew Lincoln,
Joanna Lumley, Robert Lindsay and
Barbara Windsor.
Ray Winstone, the company's ambassador, commented: "It's one of the most moving things I've seen for a long, long time. They are talking from their heart... it helps bring their confidence back and help their recovery."
The audience also included top ranking military officials including Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope and The Surgeon General, Surgeon Vice Admiral Philip Raffaelli, as well as the National President of The Royal British Legion, Lt Gen Sir John Kiszely.
A video report of the event is available below or on our YouTube channel.
Working in partnership with Army Recovery Capability and Royal Navy Recovery Pathway, the Legion and Masterclass brought together over 30 wounded, injured and sick Service personnel from across Britain to participate in this project as an extra-curricular activity to their personal recovery programmes.
The aim of the project is to use a
learning environment to aid the recovery of wounded, injured and
sick Service personnel. The project introduced the Service
personnel involved to leading theatrical professionals and some
will now undertake work experience in the theatrical
industry.
Notes to Editors:
For more information about Bravo 22 Company visit www.bravo22company.com
The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass
Trust
Masterclass is a small charity based at the beautiful
Theatre Royal Haymarket, the last independent, family run theatre
in the West End. Masterclass runs a year round programme of free
talks, workshops, special projects, career advice sessions,
showcases and performance opportunities for 17-30 year olds. This
hugely successful programme has supported over 60,000 young people.
www.masterclass.org.uk
Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust and The Royal British Legion are grateful to the Youth Hostel Association, which has generously discounted the cost of accommodation for the wounded, injured and sick Service personnel for the duration of their stay.
For further information please contact:
The Royal British Legion - Rebecca Warren,
PR Officer
E: rwarren@britishlegion.org.uk
T: 020 3207 2239 M: 07824 301 072
The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust -
Anoushka Warden
E: Anoushka@masterclass.org.uk
T: 020 7389 9662
