This brilliant one man show covers the entire, short life of Tommo Peaceful, from starting school until his execution by firing squad in the First World War, at the age of around sixteen.
We see Tommo on the night before his execution, when he is lying awake thinking about his life; his first day at school, where he was taken by his older brother Charlie and first met Molly, the one true love of his life. We learn about his family; how his father, a forester, was killed by a tree and his older brother Joey had meningitis, from which he recovered, but was left seriously disabled. All of these characters are brought vividly to life.
Tommos childhood, although poor, is generally happy and straightforward. He eventually leaves school and starts work on a farm but then the war begins. Tommo and his brother rush to sign up, claiming to be nineteen, the minimum age. Although Tommo is only fifteen, nobody cares they need soldiers. He and Charlie are sent to fight in France , where the incident occurs which will lead to Tommos execution.
Alexander Campbell, as Tommo, gives a wonderful performance, realistic and gripping but also tender and humorous. He shows the horrors of war and the lack of concern felt by officers towards their subordinates. This play highlights issues which are still being debated ninety years later.