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AN EPIC WAR STORY AND AN INTIMATE LOVE STORY TOLD THROUGH THE MEMORIES OF A MAN WHO TRIED TO LEAVE HIS PAST IN HALIFAX HARBOUR

Frances Loiselle, Kait Dueck, Colin A Doyle; Photo by Rebekah Littlejohn (4th Line Theatre)
BOMBERS: Reaping The Whirlwind

BOMBERS: Reaping The Whirlwind

By David S. Craig

WITH MUSIC BY JUSTIN HISCOX

BOMBERS: Reaping The Whirlwind is a large-cast, historical drama about the young men and women who served in Canada’s Bomber Command during WWII. Including twenty original and period songs, the story is told through the memories of Peter Benton who, at 94, has bitterly repressed his war experiences. The arrival of a young woman from England, with photographs of his crew, brings his past to life. We see Young Peter going through pilot training, sailing to England, meeting his crew and a girl, Emma Ross, whom he passionately loves and want to marry. Peter and his crew fly dozens of harrowing missions through the flak and fighter-filled skies of Occupied Europe until they are shot down over Berlin. Peter is the only survivor. After eighteen months in a POW camp, he returns to England and discovers that Emma, believing him to be dead, has married. He pleads with her to leave her husband but she refuses. She has a nine-month-old child and is pregnant. Peter, heartbroken, returns to Canada and discovers a nation eager to criticize Bomber Command for the destruction of cities like Dresden and Hamburg. He throws his medals into Halifax harbour. However, by reliving his memories, Old Peter is changed. He sees the good and the bad of his service. He can finally forgive himself for the loss of his crew. And even his memory of Emma Ross is softened when the young woman from England is revealed to be his great-granddaughter. BOMBERS honours the men and women who served in Bomber Command, Canada’s largest and deadliest contribution to the Second World War. It asks us to reflect on what we’ve done, and what we continue to do, to pay the price of freedom.

 

Production History

BOMBERS: Reaping The Whirlwind is a full length play with music which dramatizes Canada’s contribution to the heavy bomber offensive during the Second World War. Written by award winning, internationally produced playwright David S. Craig after thirty years of research. The play premiered at the 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook on July 6, 2017 under the direction of David Ferry with costume design by Karyn McCallum and set design by Glenn Davidson. The play premiered with sold out houses, revenue over budget, and a hugely positive response from audiences.

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