946 - The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

Another fabulous adaptation for Michael Morpurgo

If you're mourning the closure of War Horse in the West End, then take heart! This World War II-era based play brings yet another of Michael Morpurgo's beloved novels to life on the stage. Based in part on the recently released secrets of the American troop billeting to Southern England during the war, this adaptation by Emma Rice’s Kneehigh company uses puppetry and music to tell the experience of a 12-year old, who is less than happy about giving up his house to foreign troops, and is witness to a disaster.

What is it about?

Lily Tregenza is young and frustrated. Her home and land have been commandeered to American forces during D-Day landing rehearsals in Slapton Sands in Devon, and she can tell nobody about it due to the country's secrecy laws. Nobody in fact, except for the family cat.

The 946 of the title refers to the loss of American troops during the mostly forgotten Exercise Tiger, a disastrous exercise that, due to breakdown in communications between the Allied partners, resulted in friendly fire on the "invading troops". Due to the strict secrecy laws surrounding the incident, it was only revealed to the public some years later. True to form, Morpurgo's work takes a pinpoint focus on a single individual story within the bigger events, this time exploring the tragedy through the eyes of a pre-teen, and the pangs of first love.