Ahead of Remembrance Week in this World War One Centenary Year, an eclectic mix of star guests contribute to a unique performance this autumn commemorating war poet Wilfred Owen and his time spent in Yorkshire.
Wilfred wrote his final and greatest poems, including Spring Offensive, whilst recuperating in Yorkshire following his treatment for shellshock.
Former Brookside star Dean Sullivan (Jimmy Corkhill), is both directing and narrating Bullets And Daffodils, which features a salubrious list of big names. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour has given special permission for his song There’s No Way Out Of Here to be used, and has waived his performance fee to ease production costs of the show.
Specially recorded narrations by Christopher Timothy (much loved as Yorkshire Dales TV vet James Herriot) and Oliver Reed's son Mark (whose voice is unmistakable as belonging to Oliver's son) also feature.
Although the musical tribute to Owen written by songwriter Dean Johnson, has toured for four years, this brand new version is a world premiere. It attempts to bring Owen's powerful anti-war message to a wider audience, whilst exploring the complexities of the poet himself. For the first time Wilfred's poems are set to contemporary music as songs.
“Wilfred's story is one I believe I was born to tell,” says Dean Sullivan, “Owen's words are still so powerful because they spoke the truth. It is important that we tell the truth about him in the production: not just his genius as a poet but what made him feel the way he did. His sexuality and Christian beliefs were all part of his psyche. Many myths have built up around Owen and these sometimes cloud the image of this complex young man.”
Box Office: 01422 349422, or http://www.squarechapel.co.uk/en/event/1179
For further information, please contact Dean Johnson
The Wilfred Owen Story
34 Argyle Street
Birkenhead
CH41 6AE
07539 371925
bulletsanddaffodils@gmail.com
