Tim Price’s play The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning performed by the National Theatre Wales has been in Haverfordwest 12 – 14 April, at the school that Bradley attended as a teenager, and is now moving to Cardiff from 18 – 21 April. See Ben Griffin’s review here. Don’t miss the chance to see the play. Most performances will be livestreamed.
Bradley Manning supporters converged on Haverfordwest for the duration of the play doing outreach in the community and leafleting at the end of performances. Members of Bradley’s family have been to performances and are reported to be very happy with the portrayal of Bradley. Everyone we’ve spoken with has been impressed with the quality of the play and the acting, as well as the striking visuals.
Picton centre event
On Friday 13 April, there was an afternoon exhibition about Bradley Manning at the Picton Centre in Haverfordwest, including a mock-up of Bradley Manning’s cell at Quantico where he was tortured with long-term solitary confinement and other cruel and unusual punishments until April 2011. The exhibition was left in situ for the evening when a ‘Transition Town’ supper was taking place at the venue.
Ben Griffin (ex-SAS and whistleblower) and Ciaron O’Reilly (ex-prisoner of the US and long time anti-war activist) spoke on the subject ‘War in the 21st Century’, putting Bradley Manning’s situation, the WikiLeaks releases and the state and anti-war responses to both into context; a similar talk by Ben and Ciaron took place on Saturday near Newport.
On the streets
Supporters leafleted in town on Friday, first at Riverside until moved on from the ‘private’ pavement, then in Castle Square. Passers by were invited to try their hand at the Bradley Manning quotes quiz. This attracted people of all ages including the very young.
We’re now in Cardiff. If you’re in the area, don’t miss Guy Smallman’s exhibition of photos from Afghanistan in Central Library until 24 April, Craig Murray’s talk tonight – 16th, the Comedy night on Sunday or the screening of ‘Incident in New Baghdad’ on Tuesday. For details see Upcoming Events.
More photos here.
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Other than the Bradley Manning play, there were quite a number of Bradley Manning events in Haverfordwest which were all separately organized by different groups. Although the events play a significant role to make the Bradley Manning event a success, it would be a great ideal if different groups can merge and organize future events together. This would greatly improve the popularity of the event.
I’m not sure what you’re referring to here, as I think there has been communication and co-ordination between the people organising the other Bradley Manning events in Haverfordwest (and now in Cardiff). Different groups will have different priorities and focus and it’s great that lots of different things have been happening. If there’s anyone you know who wasn’t in touch with us, please pass on our email address and suggest they contact us to discuss collaborating on future events or send us their contact details. Our email is in contact section of this site. Cheers. genny.
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