WAR heroine Edith Cavell, a nurse during the First World War, is the focus of a new drama called Twelve Ten Fifteen.

The play, written by Clive Holland and presented by Proteus Theatre, is heading for Swindon on September 19.

The one-woman show stars Mary Rose, and is the story of the nurse who helped more than 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium in the First World War. Edith was shot by firing squad on October 12, 1915. It is told by a female journalist held captive in a modern day war, who fears her own execution is near.

She is a war-weary and cynical woman who raises the questions: was Edith Cavell allowed to be put to death to make her a martyr? Was she a propaganda tool for the British Government to encourage hatred of Germany? And today are aid workers, journalists and even civilians murdered simply to get the world to notice a cause?

Edith Cavell did not fight against her sentence. Her words the day before she was shot were: “I expected my sentence and I believe it was just. Standing as I do in view of God and Eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough, I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.”

The production will have a fundraising stand from the nursing charity Cavell Nurses’ Trust at each performance.

Tickets to see the drama at 7.30pm at Swindon Arts Centre are £12 from 01793 524481 or swindontheatres.co.uk.

– Flicky Harrison