30 May 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WW1 PROTEST PLAY SUPPORTS SCOTTISH VETERAN’S CHARITY
An acclaimed theatre production about the plight of American First World War veterans has
lent its support to a Scottish charity which provides accommodation for homeless exservicemen and women. The producers of the award-winning Why Do You Stand There in
the Rain?, which opens in Glasgow tonight (Monday, 31 May), will use the production as a
platform to promote Scottish Veteran’s Residences (SVR) to help them raise funds for
homeless UK military veterans.
Originally set up in 1910, SVR operates supported accommodation for veterans in
Edinburgh and Dundee and is currently building a new 51 flat development in Glasgow. The
charity will be promoted to the audiences attending tonight’s and Tuesday’s performance of
the play in Glasgow’s Òran Mór with details of how they can donate funds to support its work
throughout Scotland.
Why Do You Stand There in the Rain? is a production by Peter Arnott. Originally
commissioned for the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the play opened to critical acclaim
and appeared on a number of awards shortlists, winning a Scotsman Fringe First. An
expanded version including two songs new to the Fringe production now returns to tour the
Central Belt and the Highlands from 31 May to 14 June.
Based on the Bonus Army March of 1932 on Washington DC, Arnott’s play tells the story of
what may have been the first Occupy Protest and march on the nation’s capital. 20,000
ragged and desperate First World War veterans and their families from all over the U.S. set
up ‘Hoovervilles’ around the nation’s capital, to lobby Congress for the early release of a
promised compensation package for services in the First World War. Congress voted no and
Hoover called upon MacArthur and Patton to drive the veterans out of the capital. Armed
with bullets and tear gas, 1,000 infantry and cavalrymen pushed the veterans out of
Washington DC burning everything they owned.
The play’s producer, Alex Fthenakis said: “This is a play that captures a poignant moment in
American history when its military veterans were abandoned after bravely serving their
country in the Great War. We are delighted to be working with SVR to highlight the work they
are doing to help avoid history repeating itself here in the UK by supporting this generation
of veterans to ensure they are cared should they find themselves without a home.”
Ian Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the Scottish Veterans Residences, said: “We are grateful
for the support of the whole production team of Why Do You Stand There in the Rain? for
www.pepperdinedrama.com
@peppscotland
Contact producer Alex Fthenakis
for more information, images, and interviews
[email protected]
+1 (650) 450-2539 (until 28 May)
+44 (0) 759 5543 517 (29 May - 20 June)
raising awareness of the important work we do. This production focuses on the plight of war
veterans who fell on hard times and were forced to pursue desperate means for their
survival. Sadly, it is a similar story for some of today’s ex-armed forces personnel who find
themselves without a job or a home after putting their lives on the line in active duty.”
For more information about Scottish Veterans Residences visit: www.svrglasgow.org
(ENDS)
For information about Scottish Veterans Residences, please contact Bill Shaw on:
Mobile: 07974 720669
Email: [email protected]
Notes to Editors
The Scottish Tour schedule for Why Do You Stand There in the Rain? is as follows:
Friday, 31 May
Saturday, 1 June
Monday, 3 June
Tuesday, 4 June
Thursday, 6 June
Saturday, 8 June
Sunday, 9 June
Monday, 10 June
Tuesday, 11 June
Friday, 14 June
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Òran Mór, Glasgow
Òran Mór, Glasgow
Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
Aros, Portree, Skye
SEALL at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye
Lochan at Dornie Hall, Dornie
Eden Court, Inverness
Mull Theatre, Tobermory
www.pepperdinedrama.com
@peppscotland
Contact producer Alex Fthenakis
for more information, images, and interviews
[email protected]
+1 (650) 450-2539 (until 28 May)
+44 (0) 759 5543 517 (29 May - 20 June)