The First

Activity Description

A play about World War I for younger audiences by Jayne Williams.

No one could believe how quickly the war had begun and they feared for how it might end. They’d send letters back and forth but no one spoke of the truth of battle, the gruesome rattle of death in the trenches.

THE FIRST is a play based on the global events of World War I, told from the perspective of two boys from a small town in the East Midlands. A work of fiction, THE FIRST follows best friends Frederick and Jack, as they grow, play and enter the Great War together. The play is designed to develop excitement for learning about local history.

Attending a performance in your library will open up a range of learning opportunities for your students. ‘The First’ experience can be enhanced with a number of activities, including a bespoke learning framework and a script programme from the show. These resources will support activity for group discussion and creative writing, while developing speaking and listening skills as well as literacy levels.