Performer Name: Grist To The Mill

Show Name: The Unknown Soldier

Show Description

Jack stayed on when the guns fell silent, to search the battlefields for the boys that could not go home - for the dead and the missing, for both enemy and friend – and amongst the rusty wire and unexploded bombs Jack is looking for something – looking for someone. He has a promise to keep and a debt to repay, and now there is this strange request from the generals. After its hugely successful première at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, receiving four and five star reviews, the much anticipated new play from nominated writer Ross Ericson is now on a national tour. It is a thought provoking, moving, and even humorous solo piece that looks at the First World War from a new perspective, through the eyes of a man who has survived the carnage but remains, like many, to help build the great cemeteries. It is a story of the deep friendship that can only be found between those who fight together, of the betrayal felt by them at the end of the war, and of a world that has changed so much it has become unrecognisable. Ericson uses his military experience and family stories to give this piece a truly authentic voice and, as he is performing it himself, it feels like a very real and very personal piece. It is as gritty and as moving as his play 'Casualties', for which he was nominated for an Off West End Award, and shows a writer true to his form. ‘Strong writing, an original approach and a sensitive performance bring fresh power to a reminder of the horrors of war’ The Stage 4* 'If you don’t ever want to see another WW1 play, then you want to see *this* WW1 play. Superb! Fringe Guru. 5* 'It’s not about glory or futility, it’s about the loyalty forged between friends' The Scotsman. 4* The performance is 65min and can be followed by a 20min post-show talk. An interview can be put in between the two is required, but not in the performance. Grist to the Mill is VAT registered.

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We can tour with our own lighting or we are flexible to use venues' facilities.
Performance space 3m x 2m, height 2.5m. Require minimum of four 13amp socket points for our lights and sound. We are also flexible to use venues' facilities. Get in: 3-4hrs, Get out: 45min The performance is 60mins and can be followed by a 20min post-show talk. An interval can be put in between the two if required, but not in the performance.
We can supply A4 or A3 posters and DL flyers, and images and copies for online promotion. There is also a montage promo video that we can share.
Grist to the Mill was founded in 2012 with a specific aim to bring new writing to the world’s stages. Resident writer Ross Ericson has had noted success with his critically acclaimed adaptation of Henry Fielding's Tom Jones and his play Casualties, which was nominated for Best New Play at the OffWestend Awards and published by Methuen. The company also works closely with Red Dragonfly Productions, a British East Asian Theatre company, and has been bringing new stories and well-known classics all around the UK and regularly to Fringe Festivals. ‘The quality of the adaptation and the wit of the cast ensure that … it makes for a thoroughly entertaining evening… Exactly as promised, a delicious and varied meal is enjoyed by all’ The Public Reviews on Tom Jones