Second play to feature Llangollen Deepcut victim's death

Jun 27 2008 By David Simister

Cheryl James

A SECOND theatre production is to focus on the death of tragic Llangollen soldier Cheryl James, who died more than a decade ago in controversial circumstances.

Cheryl, from Froncysllte, was 18 when she was found dead at the Deepcut army barracks in 1995, one of four similar cases involving soldiers at the Suffolk site.

Along with her three fellow soldiers, her life has already been dramatised in Newcastle-based production Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale but now her story will appear in a Welsh play set to premier at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.

"The play is very specifically about Cheryl’s death. It will cause embarrassment in some circles but the play shows brilliantly the dreadful injustice of what happened without setting out to take sides one way or the other," said Des James, Cheryl’s father.

The new production, called Deep Cut, has been produced by Cardiff-based Sherman Cymru and is written by Swansea drama writer Philip Ralph, also known for his work with the BBC series Doctors.

It has been compiled with the help of photographs and notes provided by the James family, and its opening scene shows actors playing the role of Cheryl’s parents discussing the tragedy with audiences using words pulled directly from Des’ own descriptions.

Government statements, public records such as The Blake Review, and media reports have also been used in writing the script.

Since Cheryl’s death her family have campaigned for a public enquiry into her death. one of the key themes in the new play.

"The end of the play simply asks the question how can we can answer the questions without a public enquiry" added Des.

Deep Cut will be shown at the Edinburgh Fringe’s Traverse Theatre between July 31 and August 24, before coming to North Wales at Mold’s Clwyd Theatr Cymru from September 9-13.