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OCT 9

"For Conscience Sake" - a new play by Plain Quakers

9 October 2015, Ilkley

For Conscience Sake, a new play by Plain Quakers, explores the choices faced by conscientious objectors in World War One against the backdrop of growing militarisation today.

"For Conscience Sake" - a new play by Plain Quakers

plain quakers: theatre projects for Quaker learning and outreach

For Conscience Sake, a new play by Plain Quakers, explores the choices faced by conscientious objectors in World War One against the backdrop of growing militarisation today.

When Morris, would-be thespian and unrepentant curmudgeon, tries to unravel the story of his grandfather's heroic exploits in the Great War, he is faced with an unexpected surprise. His unlikely buddy, Albert, unsuccessful author and Quaker enthusiast, attempts to ease the pain by arguing that we should remember the courageous conscientious objectors who resisted conscription in 1916. If more had done the same perhaps millions of lives could have been saved. Unconvinced, Morris stubbornly defends what his grandfather did for King and Country, until Albert unearths documents in Huddersfield that reveal a disturbing truth . . .

The play commemorates the opposition of Quakers and others to the introduction of conscription in 1916. The Quaker response at the beginning of World War One was mixed. It is well known that Friends were divided on the question of war service. A number of young Quakers joined up but the Friends Ambulance Unit, formed in 1914 provided opportunities for non-combatant service. In Huddersfield there was fierce opposition to the war among radical groups and when the Military Service Act became law, many young men declared themselves unwilling to fight on conscientious grounds.

We share the very real concerns about the issues raised by Quaker Peace and Social Witness in their 2014 publication The New Tide of Militarisation. Having committed to a project that would help further understanding of the stance taken by conscientious objectors in the Great War, we feel it is appropriate to link the anniversary of the introduction of conscription and the witness of those who refused to fight with recent disturbing moves by government to highlight the role of the military in British society.

We hope that by touring the play we may make a contribution to a greater awareness of the work of Quaker Peace and Social Witness in promoting non-violent peacemaking and challenging the introduction of a 'military ethos' in British schools. We support the aims of ForcesWatch and Veterans for Peace and other peace organizations who are committed to this work.

There is no performance fee for Quaker meetings, but we do ask for return travel costs by car. We would like a 'retiring collection' to go to a charity concerned with Quaker (or other) peace work.

Plain Quakers theatre projects is a theatrical partnership founded in 2007 by Arthur Pritchard and Mike Casey. Using simple story-telling theatre and minimal resources, we aim to raise awareness of Quaker concerns and traditions through plays that are relevant and accessible, and that encourage an active engagement with Quaker testimonies on peace, simplicity, and ethical living, in the context of contemporary global capitalism.

If you would like further information, please contact us by email at plain.quakers@yahoo.co.uk or by telephone 01484 684921/ 01484 664258

28 Thirstin Road, Honley, Holmfirth, HD9 6JG

email: plain.quakers@yahoo.co.uk

Twitter: @PlainQuakers

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Date & time

Start: 19:30 on 9 October 2015

Finish: 21:15 on 9 October 2015

Location

Ilkley Quaker Meeting House
Queen's Road
Ilkley
LS29 9QJ
United Kingdom

Click for directions in Google maps