On 11 June, the Year 9 cohort of 2019 were given the opportunity to witness a one-man play titled Fightin’ the Kaiser. Set in a veterans’ hospital after the Great War, the play captivatingly depicted the aftermath of the First World War as well as allowed students to gain an insight into the experiences of soldiers themselves. The actor took on the role of a survivor of the war and engaged his audience by telling the story of how he coped with the horrors of war. The play explored the different dangers and injuries experienced by soldiers and showed the long-term effects that were suffered.

The actor stated that his performance was based purely off primary sources which made the show all the more exciting while staying educational. The performance was engaging, with the acting eliciting audience participation through the inclusion of selected students to play a role. This further promoted an understanding of the character’s stories which reflected real-life stories of World War One soldiers. Overall, the whole performance provided an informative learning experience, developing students’ understanding of WWI and encouraging empathy for those called to war.

Tahlia Bell