Centre Stage Theatre

HM Gretna Munitions Theatre Production

2014 is the centenary of the start of the First World War. The largest munitions factory in the world was built that stretched from Dornock in the west to Longtown in the east. The towns of Gretna & Eastriggs were created to house and support those working at the factory. Thousands of workers, mainly young women came to the area to contribute to the war effort. It was a period of major social change.

We are devising with young people from the Gretna, Eastriggs and surrounds an original performance work and facilitating a community research and learning project. The work will draw on archive material, social history, music and entertainment of the period. The project group will based in Gretna, Eastriggs, Langholm and Carlisle.

The Production

• The final production will be a combination of filmed costume drama work and live performance. Filmed worked and research will be available online.

The Research & Learning

•  A number of community events have been held in 2014 to uncover the stories from the past.
• Leading respected historians have  delivered a series of talks/lectures from Spring 2014.

Centre Stage Theatre is part of The First World War Centenary Partnership, a network of local, regional, national and international cultural and educational organisations led by Imperial War Museums.

First World War: then and now – HM Gretna Munitions Factory, re-lived 100 years on … Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For more information please visit  http://www.gretna-firstworldwar.org.uk/

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The Devil’s Porridge Exhibition tells the story of the greatest factory on earth and the munitions workers who came here from throughout the Empire to support the war effort in the First World War.  

Click here to visit The Devil’s Porridge website.

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We are grateful for support and research assistance from: