A hard-hitting play is being
premiered in the North East about the forgotten local heroes of the Afghanistan
war
Produced in partnership with The Exchange
Funded through the Covenant Fund and North Tyneside Council
Dragon
Dragon
North
Shields Exchange Theatre
Thursday
14th to Saturday 16th June 2018
Written by Bob Jeffrey
Directed by Roxana Freeman
Performed by Micky McGregor and Harriet Ghost
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month - June 2018
Directed by Roxana Freeman
Performed by Micky McGregor and Harriet Ghost
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month - June 2018
Although a
fictional drama, Dragon by Whitley Bay playwright Bob Jeffrey, is based
on the incredible experiences of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in the
infamous battle at Now Zad in Afghanistan against the Taliban in 2006.
Micky McGregor and Harriet Ghost |
Geordie central
character Tony is part of the platoon, grossly outnumbered and under equipped,
which fought for 107 days. It is believed to be the longest trench warfare
action since World War 2. At the battle the Fusiliers built a sign ‘Welcome to
the Dragon's Lair’ to show their defiance to the enemy – hence the title of the
play, which is being staged at The Exchange cultural arts venue, North Shields
from Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 June at 7.30pm.
Dragon highlights the
massive problem soldiers face with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) when
they return from action overseas.
The play, which is being co-produced with The
Exchange, has the support of the Covenant Fund, which has £10 million
each year to support the Armed Forces Covenant by funding projects which
address specific priorities, and North Tyneside Council. A hundred free tickets are available to
former soldiers to attend.
Dragon Creative Team - L-R Roxana Freeman (director), Harriet Ghost and Micky McGregor (actors) and Bob Jeffrey (writer) |
Bob Jeffrey, who is having his first play
professionally staged at the age of 72, said: “I have spent 2 years
interviewing veterans across the region, many of whom suffer with PTSD, in
order to help shape my play and ensure that it is as authentic as possible. This
play is designed to show former soldiers that they are not alone and that there
is support out there. We want as many former soldiers to see the performances
so they can tell others in the ex-services community that help is out there.
“The support from the Covenant Fund and North
Tyneside Council, means the play will now be shared with audiences during PTSD
Awareness Month in June and explores some of the challenges facing veterans and
their families.”
Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for
veterans’ mental health, estimate that one in five returning soldiers are
likely to suffer from mental health illness, such as depression, and about one
in 25 regulars and one in 20 reservists suffer PTSD.
Steve
Wilkins, a former Royal Marine and now Coach for Save our Soldier who shared
his story with Bob Jeffrey and attended the read through of Dragon,
said: “The Commando training is the longest and hardest infantry training in
the world. In 24 years service I served 7 tours of Northern Ireland, 3 tours of
Iraq and countless exercises at home and abroad. This inevitably took its toll and once
discharged I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Injury. I sought help from
the charity Save our Soldier which is thoroughly unique in its approach. If it
wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today.
“As
a coach for Save our Soldier I’m constantly on call to provide an intervention
when the veteran may think there is no way out. I provide empathy, compassion
and hope. Mix it all up with various
complimentary therapies to bring the person “out of the darkness and into the
light”. I would encourage as many
veterans and their families to go and see Dragon and if any of the issues in
the play strike home to seek help.”
North East actors Micky McGregor (I Daniel Blake,
Wolfblood) and Harriet Ghost (Tom
Hadaway’s The Filleting Machine) play the lead roles of Tony and his
wife Katie. To coincide with the play a series of free wrap around events have
been organised. On Thursday 14 June there will be an opportunity to Meet the
Cast after the show as they talk about bringing the story to life on stage.
On Friday 15 June at 7.10pm award-winning journalist
and author James Fergusson, whose book A Million Bullets: The Real Story of
the British Army in Afghanistan (winner of the British Army Military Book
of the Year 2009) was used as inspiration for Dragon, will be at The
Exchange to share his thoughts on what really happened during the campaign in
Afghanistan.
Finally, after the show on Saturday 16 June experts
and veteran champions from across the region will take part in a free Post Show
Q&A to discuss the themes and issues raised in the play and the challenges
facing returning services personnel.
The panel will include Andy Newman, former soldier
of the Coldstream Guards and Dr Mick Hill Director of Post Graduate Research at
Northumbria University and Co Founder of the Northern Hub for Veterans and
Military Families Research. The panel discussion will be chaired by ITV Tyne
Tees journalist Alex Watson.
Veterans and
their families can book free Guest List Tickets to see Dragon on
Thursday 14 June through their local veteran organization. Tickets are limited
and allocated on a first come first served basis.
Tickets:
Tickets for Dragon cost £8.50. For more
information about Dragon visit
www.thedragonproject.co.uk
or to book tickets visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/theexchange
or contact The Exchange via the box office on (0191) 258 4111.
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