The Last Bantam – Etcetera Theatre
Written and performed by Michael Hughes, The Last Bantam tells the interesting true story of the “Bantam Battalions”: British WWI battalions composed entirely of men between the height of 5’ and 5’3”.
If – like I hadn’t – you haven’t heard of the Bantam Battalions, then the story of how such battalions came to be is intriguing. From the various reasons short men would go out of their way to enlist, to the logistical considerations such as outfitting the soldiers in their uniforms, to having to raise the trenches’ firing steps, this play is full of fascinating historical titbits. History buffs will probably enjoy references to battles and events throughout the war and learning how the Bantams played a role in them. The fantastic costume and props add another degree of historical authenti...