Mettle

Multi award-winning solo performer Nicholas Collett brings compelling drama, Mettle to The Courtyard this October.

Gordon Collett is 19, from Sheffield, the city of steel. Determined to join the fight against the advancing forces of fascism, he volunteers for the Royal Navy in February 1940. He serves on HMS Vanessa and in November 1942 they are sent to escort Convoy SC107. Nicholas knows this, because he is his son.

In Mettle, Nicholas tells the story of his father’s experiences on the Atlantic Convoys in World War Two – surviving U-Boat attacks and treacherous weather – to Glenn Miller concerts and patrols in West Africa. A commemoration of those who served.

Born and bred in Sheffield, Nicholas graduated from the University of Birmingham and then trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he won the Comedy Prize.

His theatre work includes the RSC at the Barbican, Bombur in “The Hobbit” in the West End, Pod Clock in “The Borrowers” (UK No 1 Tour) and over 40 shows in repertory around the UK.

Mettle is part of The Courtyard’s Pay What You Decide initiative, where audiences can book tickets for free now and decide how much they want to pay after watching the show. The Courtyard want to encourage more people to come and see shows, more often. PWYD not only allows visitors to pay what they can afford, rather than a fixed ticket price, but also removes the financial risk of buying a ticket for a show in advance without knowing whether they are going to enjoy it or not.

Mettle is a thrilling piece of physical theatre from the writer of Spitfire Solo, Nelson – The Sailors’ Story and Your Bard.

Mettle will be in the Studio Theatre on Tuesday 8 October at 7.45pm. To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visit www.courtyard.org.uk.