A Moray stage school is asking former service personnel to help shape a new musical about the troubled life of a veteran who ends up homeless after leaving the armed forces.
Lossie Entertainment Academy’s co-owner, Tish Tindall, is today launching her appeal for personal insights as she forges plans for the emotional stage show.
Ms Tindall aims to debut The Forgotten Soldier next year – on Saturday, November 11 – as a tribute to veterans.
But before then, she is eager to amass as many firsthand contributions as she possibly can.
The plot of the production concerns an Army veteran who is reduced to sleeping on the streets after departing the services.
The protagonist is unwillingly forced into the spotlight when he thwarts an armed robbery at a shop, and the details of how he became homeless emerge.
Ms Tindall added: “Our idea is to raise awareness of what can happen to veterans, and how they can sometimes be forgotten by society.
“We want people with stories about veteran life, or homelessness, to get involved with the project so it can be as authentic as possible.
“I have met with a couple of agencies in Moray, but it would be fantastic to have the help of people with real experience of these things.”
Ms Tindall is penning the music to the show, while English lyricist Angie Langley is writing the words.
Ultimately, the pair aim to tour The Forgotten Soldier around some of the UK’s most recognised military areas – including Ms Tindall’s hometown of Lossiemouth.
She added: “We want this production to touch every human emotion – it will be authentic but it will have to work as a stage show too.”