DEEPCUT WOUNDS REOPENED WITH PLAY PREMIERE - ÖPIK

5.15.40pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Jul 2008

The preview performance of "Deep Cut" takes place tonight at the Sherman Cyrmu Theatre in Cardiff. "Deep Cut" is a new play based around the events surrounding the infamous Deepcut Army Barracks, in which 4 individuals: Sean Benton, Cheryl James, Geoff Gray and James Collinson, died from gunshot wounds in unexplained circumstances between 1995 and 2002.

18 year old Private Cheryl James from Llangollen, who died in 1995, was one of the four young soldiers and the play follows Des and Doreen James' struggle to find justice for their daughter. The play, written by Philip Ralph, uses original source material and powerful first hand testimonies of those closest to Private Cheryl James.

Although The Blake Review, an independent review of the deaths, concluded that Cheryl probably committed suicide, her family continues to fight for a full public inquiry to gain answers from the people responsible for their daughter's care.

Commenting ahead of the performance, Lembit Öpik, the family's local Liberal Democrat MP who has been involved in their campaign said:

"This play shows starkly the horror this family has faced over the last 13 years.

"I sincerely hope that this play will act as a megaphone for all those families affected, who have fought for justice for so long from the Government.

"The Government must honour the memory of these individuals by ordering a full public inquiry. Nothing less will do."

Ends/diwedd

Notes to editor:

For a clip of the play please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMuuZyQD_BI

The play will be directed by Mick Gordon, Artistic Director of On Theatre and previous Associate Director of the National Theatre.

Deep Cut is on at the Traverse Theatre from 31 July - 24 August. Deep Cut will also tour to Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold from 9 - 13 September before returning for a run at Sherman, Cardiff from 16 - 27 September.