Features

They were the unsung heroes of the World War Two who despite facing peril on the high seas were often chastised as cowards on the street at home.

Merchant Navy seamen played a vital role in keeping Britain alive during World War Two, running the gauntlet of the U-boats to keep convoy lines open.

Now the experiences of the men who served on ships in the war are the basis of a new production at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre.

The project was originally a national project that was run by Age Exchange. Their aim was to record the experiences and living memories of Merchant Navy World War II veterans so that they could put that  information into the National Maritime Archive

Crucial to the work's success, says director Rebecca Ross- Williams, was the long lack of recognition of the work the Merchant Navy, "The Merchant Navy felt that they hadn’t really been recognised for their role in the war.

"Liverpool was an important city for them at that time because it is the heart of the Merchant Navy."

The production, which follows the stories of two imaginary Liverpool men, Dick and Sam, will not remain in Liverpool city centre but will also reach out to the community across Merseyside by performing at school's and community centres.

Rebecca says the project was very important as it filled a hole in the records of the National Maritime Archive, "Men from all cities across Britain sailed from Liverpool. 

"They hadn’t captured their experiences so there was a gap in the National Maritime archive.

There were 30,000 Merchant Navy seamen that were lost, the bravery was phenomenal yet they didn’t receive bravery awards. They might not have been considered a real force because they were civilians and so they weren’t properly recognised."

Tour Dates:

Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool
Tuesday 5 - Saturday 7 July 7:45pm
Matinee: Friday 6 July 1:30pm

Rock Ferry High School
Monday 9 July 6:30pm

Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man
Thursday 12 July 7:30pm

Kirkby Unemployment Centre
Saturday 14 July 7:30pm

Halewood College, Halewood, Knowsley
Tuesday 17 July 7.00pm 

St. John’s Community Centre, Holly Road, Liverpool
Friday 20 - Saturday 21 July 7.30pm

West Everton Community Centre, Everton Brow, Liverpool
Tuesday 24 - Wednesday 25 July 7.30pm

Cardinal Heenan, Honeysgreen Lane, Liverpool
Thursday 26 - Friday 27 July 7.30pm

St. Columbus Community Centre, Pinehurst Road, Liverpool
Saturday 28 July 4:30pm & 7:30pm

Merseyside Caribbean Centre
Monday 30 July 7:30pm

Kensington Fields Community Centre, Hall Lane, Kensington
Tuesday 31 July 7:30pm
Wednesday 1 August 2:30pm & 7:30pm

Marybone Youth and Community Centre, Fontenoy Street, Liverpool
Thursday 2 August 7:30pm

Eldonian Village Hall, Vauxhall
Friday 3 August 8:00pm

Unity Youth & Community Centre, Dove Street, Liverpool
Saturday 4 August 7:30pm

For more information call the box ofice on 0151 709 4776.