Discover the secret history of the First World War with an interactive performance next week.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Walter TullWalter Tull (Image: Archant)

On Tuesday at Barking Learning Centre, and again on Thursday at Dagenham Library, theatre group District 6 will stage the ‘Contribution of People of Colour to the First World War’.

The unsung footballer-turned-officer Walter Tull will be a central figure portrayed.

Project co-ordinator and playwright Phil Vasili said east London-raised Walter not only had a glowing football career for Tottenham Hotspur, but also fought in the Battle of the Somme and was awarded the Military Cross.

Relying

He added: “He even looked like a movie star – I mean, the guy had it all, and very few people know about him.”

A subject about which little is written or known, this will be the first time a dramatisation to reimagine experiences of soldiers from the British Empire and Commonwealth will be performed.

Phil continued: “It’s important as they realised it’s the character of the person, not their colour. You are relying on people to save each other’s lives when you are facing bombs, bullets and shells.

“On the other side, it propelled independence movements forward and gave them a great momentum.”

The events are part of a series of London-wide projects by District 6 to inspire young people from difficult backgrounds to push boundaries and do positive things.

Audiences of all ages can look forward to the performances, depicting scenes taken from the soldiers’ lives.

Phil said the events will be informative but also interactive and entertaining.

“Where we can we’ve used primary documents such as letters and sections of biographies,” he explained. “The idea is we will tell the story as much in their own words as possible.”

Events at both venues start at 7.30pm and admission is free. For more information, call 020 8724 8725.