A gripping and unexpectedly funny musical adventure inspired by the true story of a deaf Welsh sniper in World War I.
After losing both his father and his hearing to meningitis, Young Gomer Jones refuses to be relegated to a second-class existence. When war breaks out and the young men of Wales enlist in the army, he hides his profound hearing loss and fakes his way to the front. A natural marksman, Gomer quickly becomes a celebrated sniper—only to find that maintaining his secret may come at a terrible price.
Performed by a cast of hearing, hard of hearing, and deaf performers, Private Jones weaves together sign language, live captioning, a Foley soundscape, and a sweeping original score, in a uniquely theatrical coming-of-age story.
Private Jones had its World Premiere production at the Signature Theatre in Virginia in February of 2024. It will receive a workshop at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, Wales in May 2025.