A BRAND new one-woman play based on the life of a Shropshire revolutionary comes to The Courtyard this June.

Eglantyne explores the extraordinary life of Eglantyne Jebb, a courageous, charming, passionate, human rights activist, radical fundraiser, social reformer and co-founder of Save the Children.

Born and raised in Shropshire, Eglantyne went on to Oxford University, heartbreaks, social work in Cambridge, suffrage rallies, spiritualism, the Balkans, arrest in Trafalgar Square and pioneering children’s rights.

In 1919, responding with humanitarian zeal to the devastating famine in postwar Europe, Eglantyne and her sister Dorothy founded Save the Children. Eglantyne also drew up the Rights of the Child which evolved into the current United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This new stage show comes to the UK following a critically acclaimed tour of New Zealand, and follows the life of one of the most influential - and yet least known - women of the 20th century.

Anne Chamberlain, the show’s writer and performer, said, “The more I read about Eglantyne, the more I was drawn to her inspiring life and unconventional ways. I felt compelled to share her story by creating a piece of theatre. As well as her big heroic moments, the play explores her struggles, vulnerabilities, disappointments and heartbreaks which seems to draw her closer to our lives, our frailties, our humanity.”

A proportion of the show’s proceeds will be donated to Save the Children.

Eglantyne will be at The Courtyard on Thursday, June 18 at 7pm. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk