A RETIRED soldier from north Pembrokeshire is set to appear in a critically-acclaimed play based on a British soldier’s view of service, injury and recovery.
The Two Worlds of Charlie F is about to embark on a UK theatre tour after taking the West End by storm in January 2012.
Moving from the war in Afghanistan, through the dream world of morphine-induced hallucinations to the physio rooms of Headley Court, the play explores the consequences of injury, both physical and psychological, and its effects on others as the soldiers fight to win the new battle for survival at home.
Taken from the personal experience of wounded, injured and sick service personnel involved, The Two Worlds of Charlie F is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival performed by those who were there.
They include Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Hill, originally from Crymych, who suffered devastating injuries while fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan in July 2009.
He spent two and a half years in rehabilitation and suffered from a lack of identity, functioning skills, depression and anger. He was later discharged from the army.
The former Ysgol y Preseli pupil admits being part of the play has given him a second chance at life.
He said: “I felt a failure until I started work on this production. But within hours I was using my management skills to help the director and producer understand the military. Their encouragement was flattering and like the rest of the cast I felt that for the first time in a long time I had something creative and meaningful to offer.
“It allowed me to appreciate my contribution to life, something I thought I’d never do again.”
He added that the project is a vital addition to the rehabilitation schemes already put in place by the MoD. Lt Col Hill is now embarking on a career in public speaking, as well as planning to write a book about his experiences, having already found solace in military painting.
To find out more about the play visit www.charlie-f.com