My Forgotten War

PTSD is a widely recognised mental health disorder with roots stretching back centuries and often associated with the military. Terminology such as ‘shell shock’ and ‘combat fatigue’ was used before the diagnosis of the condition being linked to mental health.

It’s 1982 and the five main characters of the play are going through an introduction to their sergeant and the audience at an army barracks, switching between present day and a brief ‘spotlight’ review of their troubled past, which has thrust them towards enemy lines.

The story is based around Jonny Stanton and his struggle to deal with PTSD experienced through conflict and the shock battle. Jonny Stanton’s young wife and colleagues try bringing Jonny back to his former self with moving scenes of sadness, frustration and violence coupled with humour and a couple of twists and turns along the way. The opening scene gives the reader an overview of the leading characters, their personalities and how they become potential soldiers. Then on to the scene of the helicopter troop movement, where humour masks the fears and insecurities of the men, the harrowing bombing of HMS Sheffield and a gripping hospital scene.

In the background to all this is a love interest, a sex change and murder. The script takes the reader along a path of a young married man’s insecurity and fear that’s elevated to an extreme level brought on by the illness and poorly subscribed medication and finally, the horrifying climax…

The author was born in London as a first-generation immigrant to a Greek Cypriot family. Tony and his siblings struggled to adapt to the culture clash of British life and traditions but out of this confusion many talents and colourful personalities within the family unit originated. His mother had a beautiful voice so it was destined that Tony went on to have a semi-professional career in singing and writing.

Tony was a drama student at high school and was involved in playing many diverse parts and was also involved in some production work but soon developed a love of music. He had a good singing voice so he made the choice to find a career in something he loved.

He auditioned for the singing parts around London and eventually joined a jazz-funk band from North West London as their front man, lead singer and rhythm guitarist. The band were hailed as leaders in the forefront of the British jazz-funk music movement at that time with a unique sound and style which came from their first release, they were also revered across the water in the New York club scene. In the early 80s and with battling egos, Tony decided to embark on a solo career as a singer and songwriter and was signed by a major label to release an album and singles, in which he found some success. “I wanted to move on and develop my own sound and write songs for myself and others to perform.” After being disenchanted by the new style of bubble gum music that was hitting the charts, he decided to hand up his microphone.