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Three Soldiers

Amanda Dalton's drama looks at three 15-year-old teenagers whose lives have been affected by war, including a young woman who has been a child soldier in the Sudan.

Three Soldiers by Amanda Dalton is set in Manchester during spring 2015, and in South Sudan in 2013/14 during conflict.The action takes place over one weekend when three teenagers lives intersect. They have all been affected by war in one way or another . Ryan's place, where they meet is a scrap of scrubland just off a neglected path by the river.

Sound design Steve Brooke
Directed in Salford by Susan Roberts

Angel , age 15 is a refugee who has escaped fighting in South Sudan where she was forced to become a child soldier. She takes us back to a vivid sound world of village life, war, music, the natural world, the journey...
Angel is traumatised and rarely shows emotion despite the terrible things she has been through. She is volatile and breaks down as she relives moments of her trauma. Beneath this is a warm, eager teenager who was once at ease.

Ryan Parr, 15, a solitary boy . He struggles at school but wants to do something with his life that has status; he's desperate to 'do well' and to belong to something bigger and hopes the army will give him this. He loves the outside world - the woods and his birds. He is building a bird hide. He has a natural authority in this place - and it's the one place where he knows more than Carly.

Carly also 15, is confused, unhappy, angry, off balance and struggling. She is bright but hates school and has a bad reputation. She is private with a storm of mixed emotions about her home situation. She's always felt lied to and never felt 'let in' or trusted with confidences - until Angel shares her story with her. .

44 minutes

Last on

Tue 31 Mar 2015 14:15

Clip

Following "Three Soldiers" on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Mike Thomson reports from Northern Iraq on the changing role of child soldiers

Following "Three Soldiers" on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Mike Thomson reports from Northern Iraq on the changing role of child soldiers
Aid organisations estimate that there are around 300,000 children involved with armed groups worldwide, but with the escalation of the conflict in Syria the number is likely to be much greater. 
Children are on the Front Line as never before. They're being recruited in new ways and used in more roles. Many will bear arms – others will act as porters or cooks. 40% of them are girls, who may be married off to combatants or otherwise sexually exploited.

The traditional image of the child soldier is of the boy forced to fight after being abducted.....now many are volunteering after being ideologically groomed. Others are encouraged by their parents and communities. Should such youngsters continue to be seen as victims or held responsible for their actions? And what can be done to stop this trend and keep children out of conflicts? Tuesday 31st March 15.00

Credits

Role Contributor
Angel Marlene Madenge
Ryan Ben Ryan Davies
Carly Shannon Flynn
Police Officer Chris Jack
Man Chris Jack
Social Worker Verity-May Henry
Police Officer Operator Verity-May Henry
Director Susan Roberts
Writer Amanda Dalton

Broadcast

  • Tue 31 Mar 2015 14:15

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