Perth Theatre is collaborating with the National Theatre of Scotland and Stellar Quines on The 306: Day, the second part in Oliver Emmanuel and Gareth Williams’ powerful new First World War trilogy.
Set to premiere at Perth’s historic Station Hotel, in the Grampian Room, on 6 May 2017. The show, which explores how the conflict affected women, families, and communities on the home front, will run from 5 May (preview performance) until 13 May before embarking on a Scottish tour which will include performances in Glasgow, Clydebank, Aberdeen, Dundee, Lockerbie, Galashiels, Ballachulish, Wigtown, Cove, Nairn, Arrochar, and Fort Augustus.
The first part of the trilogy, The 306: Dawn, premiered in the summer of 2016 and marked the centenary of the Somme Offensive. Audaciously staged within a barn in the Perthshire countryside, the play charted the real-life stories of three soldiers fighting on the front line who were to be executed for their actions. Inspired by real events and first-hand accounts, The 306: Day will tell the stories of three women left behind in the wake of the executions, and their struggles to be heard above the clamour of the conflict. The date is 1917, and the war across the channel rages on. In Russia, a revolution is turning the social order on its head while at home in Britain, there are women fighting their own battles. Rents are rising. Food is scarce. And war work can be deadly.
Nellie Murray works at a Glasgow munitions factory but is also a member of the Women’s Peace Crusade. Struggling to cope after the execution of her husband for cowardice, Gertrude Farr has a young daughter and doesn’t know where to turn. Mrs Byers waits for news of her son. He ran off to join the army at the beginning of the war and she prays for word of his safe return. Their stories of struggle, survival and speaking out will be brought to musical life in the transformed surroundings of the Perth’s Station Hotel’s Grampian Room.
The National Theatre of Scotland reunites with Perth Theatre and collaborates with Stellar Quines for the first time, under the new Artistic Directorship of Jemima Levick. The 306: Day is co-commissioned with 14-18 NOW, the UK's arts programme for the First World War centenary.
Click here for tickets and information for the Perth performances of The 306: Day or call Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621031.