Great War Show BringsTriumph To Swindon

Audiences throughout the 7-performance run of Birdsong at the Wyvern Theatre last week donated over £2,700 to Help for Heroes. The charity offers support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses whilst they served for Queen and Country.

Bryn Parry, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Help for Heroes said “Help for Heroes (H4H) is all about ‘doing your bit’ and we are delighted to have the support of the Wyvern Theatre. We can’t thank them enough for the amazing support and the incredible fundraising total that has been achieved throughout their recent showing of Birdsong. The war may be over but the battles are only just beginning for those lives have changed in the service of our country, a fight that may last for the rest of their lives. We need to make sure that there’s a comprehensive level of support available to them and that it’s there for life.”

As well as the wonderful performances, the run of Birdsong at the Wyvern Theatre last week also provided town residents with the opportunity to enjoy free entertainment from the Military Wives and a free exhibition from Wiltshire Servicemen and women portraying Why We Went To War.

“Last week’s performance of Birdsong was beautifully evocative and atmospheric and the turbulent emotional journey of the characters stayed with me for some time afterwards,” said Helen Miah, Swindon Borough Council’s Leisure, Libraries & Culture Commissioner. “The evening was made even more emotive with a pre-show exhibition focusing on how and why the Great War started and a wonderful medley of war time songs performed by the Military Wives Choir in the bandstand outside.”

Before the matinee on Saturday individuals were also given the chance to book one of six free slots with Wiltshire Soldiers’ Richard Broadhead, to learn more about their family’s involvement with the war.

Roger Scratchley was an attendee at one of these sessions. He said “It was very interesting and informative. I knew a little before the session, which turned out to be all false – I never met the eldest of my mum’s brother and always thought that he served in the Battle of Mons. That was wrong. He was a regiment Soldier and I learnt that he was training rather than being in the Battle of Mons.”

Birdsong marked the start of the Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre’s WW1 season, which marches on in September with the popular Horrible Histories series in ‘Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain’ and also includes stage adaptations of Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful and The Western Players’ production of Journey’s End.

More information about forthcoming shows at the Wyvern Theatre and Swindon Arts Centre can be found at swindontheatres.co.uk or by phoning the Ticket Office on 01793 524 481.