Review: Private Peaceful, Wilton’s Music Hall

We are welcomed into Private Peaceful as we take our seats by the gentle lament of songs that feel as though they might have been sung by First World War soldiers – smoking a last cigarette in their dugouts, waiting for the shells to land. “Only Remember,” one song quietly laments. But as Tommo (Benjamin Cain) lies trying to sleep on his canvas bed, we soon realise that, like the ticking of the pocket watch he holds to his ear, 6am will bring not the fear of the whistles to “go over the top”, but the cruel shots of his own side, as he is sacrificed as an example to others not to go against orders.

This is an honest, heartfelt and at times graphic portrayal of the fate of a 16-year-old growing up in an idyllic Devon country village who, like so many young men at the time, innocently volunteers to fight for King and Country. Often compelled by the fear of being branded a coward, or a “chicken”, as one old lady croons, these young men soon discover that the reality of war is far darker and crueller than they could ever have imagined.

Adapted and directed by Simon Reade, this spirited and clever stage adaptation initially takes us back through the events of Tommo’s life: the hardships of family life following the death of his father, a first crush, the boredom and cruelty of school days, and the unquestioning love between him and his brother Charlie – before they both join up and their lives are irrecoverably changed. The piece is played on a bare stage, apart from an old spring bed, which later doubles as the walls of the trenches, and the most exquisite watercolour, almost early-Impressionist feel, reminiscent of early 20th-century artist James McNeill Whistler. With its gnarled, skeletal trees, mud and gas-filled horizons, it frames the story beautifully, allowing Cain, as Tommo, to narrate, shift through a myriad of characters and conjure the worlds he encounters — from the Devon woods and fields to a drunken first and only kiss in a bar just behind the frontline.

Cain is captivating. He shifts between characters, ages and emotional intensities with real flair and deep honesty. We fall in love with Tommo’s innocence and his reasoned questioning of the futility of war, making his eventual fate all the more devastating. It is portrayed with extraordinary simplicity: a single gunshot, supported by subtle, poignant lighting (Adam Foley), which throughout is highly effective and evocative.

At 80 minutes and aimed at audiences aged 9+, this is, on paper, a tough ask. But the team pull off that challenge with considerable theatrical skill, deep honesty and, above all, humanity. There is no need for spectacle when the story itself carries such weight. At a time when war and conflict dominate our everyday news feeds, Private Peaceful is a timely reminder of the importance of honouring the forgotten voices that can so easily be overlooked, the private stories of people who sacrificed so much, often without fully understanding what they were being asked to do, and who hoped that their choices might somehow make a difference. This is a must-see piece of theatre: beautifully told, deeply moving and as fresh in 2026 as it has ever been.

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted and Directed by Simon Reade
Design by TPG
Lighting Design by Adam Foley
Sound Design by Jason Barnes 
Vocal Coach by Katy Sobey

Private Peaceful has finished its short run at Wiltons Music Hall, but continues on a national tour until February 2027.