Student’s role in new WW1 centenary show

Battle Abbey student Charlotte Tingley (pictured top left in the blue dress) has landed a role in the brand new theatrical production The Dreamers.

The 17-year-old schoolgirl was invited to an audition by writers James Beeny and Gina Georgio after meeting at a concert.

In the year that commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the First World War, The Dreamers tells the true and moving tale of war hero David Reginald Salomons, who led his regiment to the battlefields of Gallipoli.

This October, Runner Bean Ltd and the Assembly Hall Theatre, in association with Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy are bringing The Dreamers to Tunbridge Wells.

The musical drama will be performed by Virgin Soldiers, who hail from the area, along with a cast of 25 young men and women from across Kent and Sussex.

Lady Lucy French, director of the St James Theatre, London, said: “This is exactly what the centenary should be about.

“This music captures the essence of commemoration across the generations.”

Despite not taking music as one of her A Level subjects, Charlotte, who hails from Battle, has always enjoyed singing.

She says she is ‘delighted’ to be a part of this new and exciting project.

After writing the show in the winter of 2013, James and Gina searched the local area for talented singers, who hadn’t necessarily been trained nor had any prior experience.

Gina said: “We were looking for young people who would share our passion for not only the theatre, but World War One also.

“It has been such a pleasure to work with our cast and see them grow in confidence, and Charlotte is an integral member of our team.”