WWI soldiers mingle with commuters in artist’s Somme tribute

Boswell died on the first day of battle at the age of 22.

The inspiration for the “We’re Here Because We’re Here” (a reference to a song sung by soldiers in the trenches) project came from families who reported seeing visions of their deceased loved ones, according to the theater.

Appearing at various train stations, shopping centres and high streets around the country, the soldiers did not speak.

“The huge crowds today in Heaton Park and across the city are testament to the enduring sense of both gratitude and loss that we still have and must continue to have as we remember all those involved in what was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the First World War”.

Men and women dressed as World War I (WWI) soldiers load a cannon as they take part in a memorial ceremony at the Franco-British National Memorial in Thiepval near Albert, during the commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, northern France, July 1, 2016. 27 organisations collaborated on the event, which was produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre, working in close collaboration with partners including: Lyric Theatre Belfast, Manchester Royal Exchange, National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre Wales, Northern Stage, Playhouse Derry-Londonderry, Salisbury Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Commuters were stopped in their tracks by a ghostly army of young men wearing First World War uniform, who broke into the song “We’re here because we’re here”, in a nationwide artistic commemoration of the Somme centenary.

Lawyers, doctors, sheep farmers and people of other professions made up the corps of volunteers, said the theater website. It took a month of rehearsing to prepare for the event.

Rufus Norris, director of the National Theatre, said: “This … is a truly national piece of theatre and is a powerful way to remember the men who went off to fight 100 years ago”.

“The enthusiasm and determination of the volunteer dancers, performing alongside our dance professionals will stay with me from these last few weeks, as will Lemn’s performance of his new poem that looked insightfully to our past whilst also providing a clarion call to a collective, hopeful future”.

“The majority of people in this generation – they’ve not had the same experiences of the second world war generation or the first world war generation – which were horrific experiences”.

“We hope people will be able to attend”.

The ceremony was part of a number events across Europe aimed at commemorating the anniversary, including a two minute silence held in Britain at 7.28am to coincide with the moment the first shots in the battle were fired. 14 -18 NOW is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and by additional fundraising.