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The Unknown Soldier
Official Edfringe Sell-out Show
In tribute to the Centenary of the return of the Unknown Warrior
Written and Performed by Ross Ericson
Directed by Michelle Yim
Jack stayed on when the guns fells silent, to search the battlefields for the boys that could not go home - for the dead and the missing, for both enemy and friend. And amongst the rusty wire and unexploded bombs Jack is looking for something - looking for someone. He has a promise to keep and debt to repay, and now there is this strange request from the generals.
A story of comradeship, betrayal and of promises both broken and kept following the carnage of World War One. A new theatre piece by the award nominated writer of Casualties.
Sneak peek! - Click here to listen to Ross Ericson's interview with BBC presenters Sunny and Shay on The Unknown Soldier!
Tour Schedule
Tue 09 May 2023 The Rotunda Theatre, Brighton Fringe 6pm
Wed 10 May 2023 The Rotunda Theatre, Brighton Fringe 6pm
Thur 11 May 2023 The Rotunda Theatre, Brighton Fringe 6pm
Mon 3 Jul 2023 Riverside Studio, London 7pm
as part of Bitesize Festival
Tue 4 Jul 2023 Riverside Studio, London 7pm
as part of Bitesize Festival
Wed 5 Jul 2023 Riverside Studio, London 7pm
as part of Bitesize Festival
Tue 18 Jul 2023 The Rotunda Theatre, Buxton Fringe 6pm
Fri 8 Sept 2023 Waterside Arts Centre, Sale 7:30pm
Thur 9 Nov 2023 Theatr Fach, Dolgellau 7:30pm
For tickets email: mail@richardwithers.co.uk
Fri 10 Nov 2023 Criccieth Memorial Hall 7:30pm
Sat 11 Nov 2023 The Dragon Theatre, Barmouth 7pm
The Unknown Soldier is tour-ready and available for 2024.
For Venues to download:
The Unknown Soldier UK Tour has visited:
The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham, 26 & 27 Feb 2016
Stichill Village Hall, Stichill, 9 March 2016
Bowhill Theatre, Selkirk, 10 March 2016
The Spread Eagle, Croydon, 25 & 26 Mar 2016
The Brindley, Cheshire, 22 April 2016
Sweet Dukebox Theatre, Brighton, 30 May to 5 Jun 2016
The Subscription Room, Stroud, 1 July 2016
Assembly Hall, Edinburgh Fringe, 4 to 29 Aug 2016
Guildhall Theatre, DerbyLIVE, 14 Sept 2016
Carlile Community Hub, Meltham, 1 Oct 2016
Lichfield Garrick, Lichfield, 8 Nov 2016
Caddonfoot Hall, Clovenfords, 9 Nov 2016
Old Well Theatre, Moffat, 10 Nov 2016
The Swallow Theatre, Newtown Stewart, 11 Nov 2016
Bridge House Theatre, Penge, 12 & 13 Nov 2016
Theatre Royal Margate, Kent, 3 Feb 2017
Upstairs at the Western, Leicester, 26 Apr 2017
Rialto Theatre, Brighton, 5, 8, 11 & 25 May 2017
Marlowe Studio, Canterbury, 19 to 20 May 2017
Rotunda Theatre, Buxton Fringe, 5-7 & 16 July 2017
Phoenix Theatre Studio, Blyth, 3 Sept 2017
Sandpit Theatre, St Albans, 27 Sept 2017
The Queens Hall, Narberth, 16 Nov 2017
Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton, 17 Nov 2017
Bakehouse Studio, Adelaide Fringe, 19-22,26 Feb & 1 Mar 2018
Henderson Hall, Talybont on Usk, 8 April 2018
Hart Village Hall, Hartlepoole, 26 April 2018
Skipton Town Hall, Skipton, 27 April 2018
Hunmanby Community Centre, Filey, 28 April 2018
Felton Village Hall, Morpeth, 29 April 2018
Rotunda Theatre, Buxton Fringe, 8 & 15 July 2018
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe, 9,11,16,18 & 23 Aug 2018
Old Fire Station, Carlisle Fringe, 30 Aug 2018
The Tolbooth, Stirling, 31 Aug 2018
The Atkinson, Sefton, 22 Sept 2018
Church House, Welshpool, 30 Sept 2018
Sterts Theatre, Liskeard, 5 Oct 2018
The Poly, Falmouth, 6 Oct 2018
Everyman Theatre Studio, Cheltenham, 10-12 Oct 2018
Theatre Deli, The Old Library, Camberwell 20 Oct 2018
Wilfred Owen Festival, Oswestry, 5 Nov 2018
Michael Edwards Studio, Cutty Sark, 8 Nov 2018
Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford, 9 Nov 2018
Ceredigion Museum Coliseum, 10 Nov 2018
Midway Kent College, Medway, 12 Nov 2018
Harrow Arts Centre, 15 Nov 2018
St Bartholomews Church, Meltham, 16 Nov 2018
Playground Theatre, London 22-27 Jan 2019
Canolfan Ceiriog Centre, Llangollen 15 Feb 2019
The Rotunda Theatre, Brockenhurst 26-28 April 2019
Seven Sisters Community Hall, Neath 7 Nov 2019
Swindon Arts Centre, Swindon 8 Nov 2019
Letterston Memorial Hall, Letterston 9 Nov 2019
Newport Memorial Hall, Pembrokeshire 10 Nov 2019
Square Chapel, Halifax 23 Jan 2020
The Hub at St Mary's, Lichfield 7 Feb 2020
Salisbury Medieval Hall, Salisbury 9 Nov 2022
Llanfaelog Community Hub, Llafaelog 10 Nov 2022
HWB Cemaes, Anglesey Wales 11 Nov 2022
The Unknown Soldier successfully debuted at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015 as part of Spotlites' season and was shortlisted for the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence. The show Sold Out its run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 performing at the Assembly Hall. Ross Ericson won Best Male Actor for his performance at Buxton Fringe Awards 2017.
Bloomsbury has published The Unknown Soldier play-text. The book launch was at Sweet Waterfront in May 2016, during the Brighton Fringe Festival.
The production is touring throughout 2020. Contact us for a touring pack and to have a chat if you are interested in having The Unknown Soldier at your venue.
The Unknown Soldier Playtext Launch
at Sweet Waterfront, Brighton Fringe Festival.
Left to Right: John-David Henshaw (Sweet Venues),
Ross Ericson (Performer/Playwright) & Richard Stamp (Fringe Guru)
Photo by Peter Williams
The Unknown Soldier 2015-2018 Reviews
'If you don’t ever want to see another WW1 play, then you want to see *this* WW1 play. Superb!'
'An unmissable and thought-provoking play that has so much relevance in today’s society'
'Powered by a magnificent solo performance from Ross Ericson'
'An exemplary piece of solo theatre. It can certainly hold its head up among the best of war stories'
'Well written, entertaining, informative and expertly acted
'An original perspective on a story we think we all know, and offer a reminiscence that... is poignant and thought-provoking
‘It’s not about glory or futility, it’s about the loyalty forged between friends’
‘Strong writing, an original approach and a sensitive performance bring fresh power to a reminder of the horrors of war’
'Filled with far more nuance and originality than most Great War plays'
'This is well worth a watch, whether you enjoy war plays or not.'
'Strongly recommend this play to everyone... it is guaranteed to make you laugh but will also bring a tear to your eye – a great tribute to the unknown soldiers.'
'Audience... feels pulled back in time'
'Ericson’s performance as the soldier who remembers is strong, consistent, and authentic.'
‘You won't be disappointed.’
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Audience Review:
John Rodie (2015) - A Masterpiece of a show
Gordon Prince (2015) - Brilliant script and acting
Bob Henderson (2015) - I have seen about 15 shows and this is my favourite. Great writing…
Andy Stobbie (2015) - I loved the way the story unfolded about the events after the war which no-one normally thinks about. Performance and action - spellbinding to transport you there. An excellent performance
Jennifer Murrey (2015) - Thoughtful. Great balance of sorrow & levity. Perfect… Thank you.
Christine McDerment (2015) - I cannot recommend this highly enough: a stupendous performance… it is moving and powerful but finds space for some touches of dark humour. Definitely a five star performance.
Andy Lyall (2015) - Very powerful, well presented, well-acted and poignant
Udita Banerjee (2015) - Superb acting, great costume, 5 star sounds… [Ericson] owns the stage beautifully.
Terry Sopp (2016) - A brilliant and powerful portrayal of comradeship and life on the frontline. I was holding back the tears as the story which was brought to life so vividly took the audience through the horrors of the First World War. Brilliant!
Kevin Jones (2016) - A first class play that tackled the horrors of the Great War in an original way. Very poignant and sad with a lovely twist in the story.
Stephen Allen (2016) - Simple set but provided splendidly for a poignant performance, expertly executed and extremely thought-provoking.