Interview: Adam Lawrence on For King and Country at Southwark Playhouse

John Wilson’s military courtroom drama, For King and Country will be seen in London for the first time in over 30 years this summer to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. The play was originally performed as Hamp at the Edinburgh Festival in 1964 by a cast including Leonard Rossiter, John Hurt and Richard Briers, and was adapted into the BAFTA-nominated film King and Country.

We caught up with Adam Lawrence to find out more.

For King and Country will be at Southwark Playhouse 28^th June – 21^st July 2018.

For King and Country is coming to Southwark Playhouse what can you tell us about it?           

It’s about a young, shell-shocked man who desserts his batallion in WW1 – through desperation, not intent, and the court case that decides his fate, and the moral values it throws into question.

Tell us about the character you play?    

He’s sensitive and honest working class young man who’s goaded into volunteering for the war, and finds himself in a nerve shattering situation which he tries his hardest to navigate his way through

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How is this character different to other roles you’ve had?          

I usually play b*stards.

How have the cast been getting to know each other?   

Over endless cups of tea in the green room.

How does it feel to be at Southwark Playhouse?            

It’s a great space, I’ve seen many good shows here so I’m grateful to be involved.

Why should people come see For King and Country?     

Moral dilemmas, values, selfishness vs selflessness, pondering mortality, these themes are as relevant today as they were 100 years ago.