My Forgotten War

By Tony Antoniou

PTSD is a widely recognised mental health disorder with roots stretching back centuries and often associated with the military. Terminology such as 'shell shock' and 'combat fatigue' was used before the diagnosis of the condition being linked to mental health. It's 1982 and the five main characters of the play are going through an introduction to their sergeant and the audience at an army barracks, switching between present day and a brief 'spotlight' review of their troubled past, which has thrust them towards enemy lines. The story is based around Jonny Stanton and his struggle to deal with PTSD experienced through conflict and the shock battle. Jonny Stanton's young wife and colleagues try bringing Jonny back to his former self with moving scenes of sadness, frustration and violence coupled with humour and a couple of twists and turns along the way. The opening scene gives the reader an overview of the leading characters, their personalities and how they become potential soldiers. Then on to the scene of the helicopter troop movement, where humour masks the fears and insecurities of the men, the harrowing bombing of HMS Sheffield and a gripping hospital scene. In the background to all this is a love interest, a sex change and murder. The script takes the reader along a path of a young married man's insecurity and fear that's elevated to an extreme level brought on by the illness and poorly subscribed medication and finally, the horrifying climax…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jul 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781528968935

Tony Antoniou

The author was born in London as a first-generation immigrant to a Greek Cypriot family. Tony and his siblings struggled to adapt to the culture clash of British life and traditions but out of this confusion many talents and colourful personalities within the family unit originated. His mother had a beautiful voice so it was destined that Tony went on to have a semi-professional career in singing and writing. Tony was a drama student at high school and was involved in playing many diverse parts and was also involved in some production work but soon developed a love of music. He had a good singing voice so he made the choice to find a career in something he loved. He auditioned for the singing parts around London and eventually joined a jazz-funk band from North West London as their front man, lead singer and rhythm guitarist. The band were hailed as leaders in the forefront of the British jazz-funk music movement at that time with a unique sound and style which came from their first release, they were also revered across the water in the New York club scene. In the early 80s and with battling egos, Tony decided to embark on a solo career as a singer and songwriter and was signed by a major label to release an album and singles, in which he found some success. "I wanted to move on and develop my own sound and write songs for myself and others to perform." After being disenchanted by the new style of bubble gum music that was hitting the charts, he decided to hand up his microphone.

Book preview

My Forgotten War

Tony Antoniou

Austin Macauley Publishers

My Forgotten War

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Cast

Minor parts:

Prelude

Opening Scene

Switch To

Switch To

Switch To

Switch To

Back To the Line Up

Switch To

Switch To

Switch To

Switch To

News Reader Voice:

Scene 2 Helicopter

Scene 3

Following Day

Back To the News Desk

Music Break – Death of Dance. Ave Satani Theme from the Omen

About the Author

The author was born in London as a first-generation immigrant to a Greek Cypriot family. Tony and his siblings struggled to adapt to the culture clash of British life and traditions but out of this confusion many talents and colourful personalities within the family unit originated. His mother had a beautiful voice so it was destined that Tony went on to have a semi-professional career in singing and writing.

Tony was a drama student at high school and was involved in playing many diverse parts and was also involved in some production work but soon developed a love of music. He had a good singing voice so he made the choice to find a career in something he loved.

He auditioned for the singing parts around London and eventually joined a jazz-funk band from North West London as their front man, lead singer and rhythm guitarist. The band were hailed as leaders in the forefront of the British jazz-funk music movement at that time with a unique sound and style which came from their first release, they were also revered across the water in the New York club scene. In the early 80s and with battling egos, Tony decided to embark on a solo career as a singer and songwriter and was signed by a major label to release an album and singles, in which he found some success. I wanted to move on and develop my own sound and write songs for myself and others to perform. After being disenchanted by the new style of bubble gum music that was hitting the charts, he decided to hand up his microphone.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate my work to everybody I have loved and lost in my life, it made me the person I am today. Thank you to my beautiful wife and children for helping me keep my feet on the ground most of the time; and a special thanks to my son who never let me give up on this project.

Copyright Information ©

Tony Antoniou (2020)

The right of Tony Antoniou to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528937023 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528968935 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2020)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Cast

Minor parts:

Prelude