Scouts and Journey's End: A Very Special Relationship

Journey’s End author R.C. Sherriff (1896-1975) left the royalties to his plays to his old school, Kingston Grammar, and the Scouts Association. From this, it is clear that investment in youth education is a core tenet of the playwright’s legacy. MESH is committed to fulfilling this heritage by fusing drama and history, bringing his work to young audiences.

MESH was privileged to host two troops of St Albans scouts at full dress rehearsals this week. Producing high quality, professional drama that is also accessible is an opportunity to breathe life into our history and exercise imaginations. We believe Sherriff would have approved, as the scouts gasped, shed tears and described this immersive bunker experience, as “like being in 3D”, “amazing”, “so realistic” and the “best play I’ve ever seen.”

History remains current when it manages to inspire younger generations. Drama is a vehicle for such inspiration. Just as this play broke the silence of tragedy and trauma of the Great War when it was first staged, this representation, 90 years later, shares the realities of trench warfare and allows its message to speak. As the world grapples with continued instability, taking a moment to witness and process this representation of events from our past may bring us one step closer to ensuring that history does not repeat itself.