Into the Sun follows the saga of three young English friends as they go off to the trenches of World War I, and the impact of that war on them, their families, and their lovers. The characters move from initial enthusiasm for war to disillusionment and protest against it. Some of the songs feature lyrics from famous World War I poets such as William Butler Yeats and Wilfred Owen, who fought as soldiers in the Great War. Marking the 100th anniversary of the war, Into the Sun dramatizes conflicts as potent in today’s time of war as they were a century ago.
Marking the 100th anniversary of World War I, 'Into the Sun' is a musical that follows the dramatic and heart-wrenching saga of three young English friends as they go off to the trenches of World War I, and the impact of that war on them and their families and lovers.
The main protagonist, Freddy Sigfried, distills the arc of his generation in his move from initial enthusiasm for the war to a public protest against it that gets him locked up for treason. At first, Freddy is eager to please his father by climbing the military ranks, but he ultimately chooses to violate military duty in the name of friendship for his suffering comrades and his budding love for Henry. Some of the songs in the play feature lyrics from famous World War I poets such as William Butler Yeats and Wilfred Owen, who fought as soldiers in the Great War. The play will appeal to audiences who enjoy historical musicals like as ‘Les Miserables’ and World War I dramas like ‘War Horse’ and ‘Downton Abbey.’
‘Into the Sun’ explores universal themes that are as potent today as they were during the Great War, themes like the heartache of unrequited love; the conflict between duty and friendship; and the horrors of war for soldiers facing multiple deployments, shell shock (now known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and incomprehension from people back home.