PRIVATE PEACEFUL to Embark on US Tour

Pemberley Productions and Ireland's Verdant Productions announce that their production of Private Peaceful, a new play adapted and directed by Simon Reade, from the award-winning young adult novel by Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), will go out on a US tour following its New York premiere.

The critically acclaimed one-man show, which earned five-star reviews, will star Shane O'Regan, who recently toured throughout Ireland in the production. O'Regan plays more than 40 characters in what has hailed as a tour de force performance.

In New York, Private Peaceful will play a limited six-week engagement at TBG Mainstage Theatre (312 West 36th Street), from August 28 through October 7, with opening night scheduled for Thursday, September 6.

The production will next play the Williams Center for the Arts at Lafayette College in Easton, PA on Wednesday, October 10, and the Harold Prince Theatre at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia, PA from Thursday, October 11 through Saturday, October 13.

Private Peaceful will play a limited four-week engagement at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 Lincoln Avenue) in Chicago, IL, from Wednesday, October 17 through Sunday, November 11 (which also marks the centenary of the end of World War I).

The production will next play Texas Performing Arts in Austin, TX., on Thursday, November 15 and Friday, November 16.

Morpurgo's young adult novel, Private Peaceful, was first published in 2003, and earned critical praise and numerous awards, including the Hampshire Book Award, the Red House Children's Book Award, and a 2005 Best Books for Young Adults Award from the American Library Association. Simon Reade's stage adaptation was first produced in 2004 at the Bristol Old Vic. It was later produced at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in London's West End, as well as tours throughout the U.K., earning five-star reviews. The current production, starring Shane O'Regan, began touring Ireland in 2017. Private Peaceful was also adapted by Mr. Reade into the 2012 film of the same name.

Private Peaceful is a timely reminder of the heroic sacrifices that were made by the soldiers in World War I. The production comes to New York in the centenary year of the end of World War I.

The story follows the life of a young soldier, Thomas 'Tommo' Peaceful (Shane O'Regan), facing the firing squad for cowardice. As Tommo sits in his cell awaiting sunrise, he thinks back on the events that made him the person he is today. Tommo recounts memories of growing up with his elder brother, Charlie. They did everything together. They went to school together, faced their problems together, slept and ate together; they even loved the same girl... but now they have to face the many facets of war together. Can a bond and loyalty between brothers overcome the brutality of the front lines and bring them safely home? When the lines of heroism and cowardice collide, what can one man or even a brother do to fight the injustices of it all? The play highlights the dreadful horrors of war while celebrating the joyfulness of life.

Lighting and set design is by Anshuman Bhatia. Sound design is by Jason Barnes.

For the New York run, tickets start at $39 and are now on sale online at www.privatepeacefulusa.com, by calling OvationTix at (866) 811-4111, or by visiting the TBG Mainstage Box Office on performance days located at 312 West 36th Street, 3rd floor. Box office is open 90 minutes before curtain time on show days. For more information, visit www.privatepeacefulusa.com.

Photo Credit: Tom Lawlor