Waubonsee Community College will host a special performance of This Evil Thing, a one-person show about British conscientious objectors in World War I. The play, performed by British playwright and actor Michael Mears, will be performed at the Sugar Grove Campus in the Auditorium on April 12 at 12:30 p.m.
This Evil Thing is the story of “young men who were willing to endure all kinds of punishments, even willing to face the firing squad, in order not to compromise their consciouses, their beliefs. [They believed] that human life is sacred, that warfare is not the way to solve international disputes, and that man cannot, must not, be forced to kill another man.”
Michael Mears has had a long and successful career in theatre, television and film. He has performed with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Peter Hall Company. His films include Sharpe’s Rifles, As You Like It and Three Weddings and a Funeral. He is best known for as an award-winning performer of his own original one-person plays for theatre and radio, many of which were commissioned by the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Because 2018 is the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I, Mears is touring this play in Europe and the United States. This Evil Thing debuted in 2016 at the Edinburgh Festival with critical acclaim.
The play is made available through funding from the Waubonsee Faculty Lecture Fund, Student Life and Student Activities departments. The performance is free and open to the public. Though tickets are not required, it is recommended to RSVP by emailing elindeen@waubonsee.edu.
