Local hero

Tonight we saw the very first performance by The National Theatre of Wales of a new play, The Radicalization of Bradley Manning. What's more, it took place at his old school, Tasker Milward, in Haverfordwest. I've blipped about Bradley Manning before because his cause has been taken up by people in Wales. His mother was Welsh and although he spent only a few teenage years here, there is strong support locally for his whistleblowing on American duplicity in Iraq.

The production was powerful and intense, the dark hollow space of the school sports hall transformed with banks of monitors whose flickering screens showed scenes of military manoeuvres, while the air crackled with staccato radio communications. The main role was exchanged between the six talented young actors and the scenes switched repeatedly between Bradley's school days and his time in the army - bullying, homophobia and lack of understanding being common to both. Episodes from Welsh history, as discussed by a sympathetic teacher, highlighted the courage and moral impetus of earlier Welsh rebels and resisters.

"As a government you can't punish an idea so you punish the man."

The play (by Tim Price) is on in Haverfordwest for another two days and then moves to Cardiff and Flintshire. You can watch it streamed live online.
For further information see the campaign website Wiseup for Bradley Manning