Nelson comes back to life on Doncaster stage

All aspects of the British military hero and his present-day counterparts are examined in a show called Nelson – the Sailors’ Story at Cast in Doncaster tomorrow.

The show looks at what it was really like at the Battle of Trafalgar in Nelson’s own words, looking at the hero and the rebel, then and now.

Below the column in Trafalgar Square, a homeless Falklands veteran shivers in the cold…

Amid the shot, smoke and din of battle, a surgeon, a midshipman, a gunner and a powder monkey aboard HMS Victory strive to destroy the Combined Fleet of France and Spain.

Their fate – and that of their country – lies in the hands of one man, Horatio Nelson.

For 200 years, Nelson has stood patiently on his column in Trafalgar Square, watching the world and its many changes.

But what happened to the ‘tars’ – ordinary sailors –who served with him?

Nicholas Collett plays 16 characters, portraying the minute-by-minute danger, excitement, tragedy and a good helping of laughter.

He also draws some sharp parallels with society’s relationship with service personnel today.

A professional actor, producer, director and writer for 32 years, he has appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the West End, on tour and on television.

Nelson – the Sailors’ Story takes you right to the heart of Trafalgar and lets you meet the man who caused so much controversy, whilst writing himself into the history books as one of Britain’s greatest heroes.

Tomorrow night’s performance is followed by a question and answer session with Nicholas.

Next Tuesday at Cast, Tongue Tied and Twisted is a new storytelling show with a theatrical twist.

Music producer PKCtheFirst appears with international performer and storyteller Peter Chand.

Peter has been collecting traditional Indian folk tales from 50 South Asian elders, living in England in the Black Country.

These stories, some of them unheard for over 50 years, have finally been documented to preserve them for future generations.

Producer Dawinder Bansal said: “The tradition of passing folk tales down through the generations is dying out and we knew it was important to capture this wisdom before it was too late. As the elders recalled the stories they were told as children their eyes twinkled, knowing their voices will live on for decades to come in an online archive”.

Cast box office: call 01302 303 959 or go to castindoncaster.com