As part of Black History Month, we very recently enjoyed another exceptional performance from Gazebo Theatre Company titled 'The Hallowed Turf'.
“A story of soldiers, football and heroes...”
Above: Gazebo's performance of The Hallowed Turf, at Highfields - 'On the Front Line'
The play is a celebration of Black History Month and a commemoration of the start of WW1, exploring the character of Walter Tull:
A young man's dream of becoming a footballer is brought to the front when he meets his hero on a very different front line.
This powerful and heartbreaking play shares the true story of footballing star Walter Tull, the first Black Officer to serve in the British Army, in World War I, told through the imagined letters of an unknown 17 year old soldier.
Year 8 students watched the performance in the Lyceum Theatre.
A selection of drama students also had opportunity to engage with the actors from Gazebo, through participatory workshops during the afternoon.
Walter Daniel John Tull (28 April 1888 – 25 March 1918) was an English professional footballer who played as an inside forward for Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town. He was the second person of Afro-Caribbean/dual heritage to play in the top division of the Football League, the first Afro-Caribbean/dual heritage outfield player in the top division of English football, and the first to be commissioned as an infantry officer in the British Army.
