Newcomer Benjamin Cain will play Tommo Peaceful
in major UK tour of Michael Morpurgo’s one-man play
Private Peaceful
Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted and Directed by Simon Reade
After captivating audiences worldwide, Private Peaceful returns to the stage with fresh energy and timeless power for a UK tour. Beginning in September 2026, additional dates have now been added, extending the tour into February 2027.
Benjamin Cain, rising star and recent graduate from the BA Professional Acting course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, will make his professional debut in this acclaimed one-person tour de force as Tommo Peaceful. Adapted and directed from Michael Morpurgo‘s novel by Simon Reade, the production sees a single actor conjure an entire world of characters, landscapes, and emotions. At once heartwarming and heartbreaking, Private Peaceful is both a moving family drama and a powerful reminder of the human cost of war.
Benjamin Cain said: “I am incredibly excited and grateful to be doing this play and to be working with so many brilliant themes. Simon has created such a relaxed atmosphere since the first audition and is so passionate, it will be a privilege to work with him.”
Simon Reade said: “Earlier this summer I saw a young actor in his graduating show at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School: Benjamin Cain. He was witty, truthful, strong yet vulnerable. I knew at once here was our new Peaceful. Ben was raised in a Dorset village. For him, this really is a story close to home. What an opportunity, for me as much as Ben, to revive Michael’s contemporary classic of love and loss – this theatrical celebration of life.”
The Private Peaceful tour will visit: Exeter Northcott Theatre (9-10 Sept); Lichfield Garrick Theatre (11-13 Sept); Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes (15 Sept); Victoria Wood Theatre Windermere (16 Sept); Lyceum, Edinburgh (17-19 Sept); Wilton’s Music Hall, London (21-23 Sept); Harrogate Theatre (24-26 Sept); Theatre Royal Winchester (28-30 Sept); Hull Truck Theatre (1-3 Oct); Hall for Cornwall, Truro (6-7 Oct); Theatr Brycheiniog, Powys (8-9 Oct); Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (12-17 Oct); Malvern Theatres (21-25 Oct); Theatre Royal Wakefield (27-28 Oct); Connaught Theatre & Studio, Worthing (11 Nov); Curve, Leicester (17-19 Nov); Royal & Derngate, Northampton (25-30 Jan) and Blackpool Grand Theatre (1-3 Feb).
Produced by Joshua Beaumont and Matthew Emeny for The Production Garden in association with Exeter Northcott Theatre.
Suitable for ages 9+.
2026/27 TOUR LISTINGS
Wednesday 9 – Thursday 10 September Exeter Northcott Theatre
exeternorthcott.co.uk/events/private-peaceful
Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September Lichfield Garrick Theatre
www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/private-peaceful
Tuesday 15 September Lowther Pavilion
lowtherpavilion.co.uk/shows/private-peaceful
Wednesday 16 September Victoria Wood Theatre, Windermere
victoriawoodtheatre.com/whats-on/private-peaceful
Thursday 17 – Saturday 19 September Lyceum, Edinburgh
lyceum.org.uk/events/private-peaceful
Monday 21 – Wednesday 23 September Wilton’s Music Hall, London
wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/michael-morpurgos-private-peaceful
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 September Harrogate Theatre
www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/events/private-peaceful-by-michael-morpurgo
Monday 28 – Wednesday 30 September Theatre Royal Winchester
www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/private-peaceful
Thursday 1 – Saturday 3 October Hull Truck Theatre
www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/drama/private-peaceful
Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 7 October Hall for Cornwall, Truro
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/private-peaceful-by-michael-morpurgo
Thursday 8 – Friday 9 October Theatr Brycheiniog, Powys
theatrbrycheiniog.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873662122
Monday 12 – Saturday 17 October Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
www.belgrade.co.uk/events/private-peaceful-26
Wednesday 21 – Sunday 25 October Malvern Theatres
malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/private-peaceful
Tuesday 27 – Wednesday 28 October Theatre Royal Wakefield
www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk/events/private-peaceful-2026
Wednesday 11 November Connaught Theatre & Studio, Worthing
wtm.uk/events/private-peaceful
Tuesday 17 – Thursday 19 November Curve, Leicester
www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/private-peaceful-2
Monday 25 – Saturday 30 January Royal and Derngate, Northampton
royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/private-peaceful
Monday 1 – Wednesday 3 February Blackpool Grand Theatre