Photo: Playwright and actor Michael Mears performs in This Evil Thing at Akron (Pennsylvania) Mennonite Church. This Evil Thing dramatizes the experiences of conscientious objectors in World War I in Britain. Photo Credit: Lloyd Chapman

“As it is, I feel sentenced to death. Within a few days I could be sent to France…and shot.” These words from James Brightmore, a British conscientious objector confined to a narrow pit for his refusal to fight in World War I, are among the opening lines of the drama This Evil Thing. Written and performed by Michael Mears, the play began its 17-day U.S. tour March 13 at Akron (Pennsylvania) Mennonite Church.

Upcoming tour dates and locations are listed at the end of this article.

The play chronicles the intense spiritual, physical and emotional stress endured by British conscientious objectors during World War I. What emerges is a moving picture of principled and courageous young men doing complex moral discernment under the pressure cooker of war with their own survival at stake. Should they agree to march? Peel potatoes for the troops? Wear the uniform? Or should they totally refuse any and all cooperation with the military authority? “For God’s sake,” asks a commanding officer, “is this protest of yours really worth losing your lives over?”

On stage, Mears moves seamlessly and energetically between dozens of roles depicting a whole array of characters, from objectors to military commanders to priests to family members and lovers.

While set in the British context, the parallels to the experiences of conscientious objectors in the U.S. during World War I are present in every scene, as are probing questions for our contemporary setting. How prevalent in our day is this perspective on war and Christian faith from H.J. Scrine, a World War I cleric: “War is not murder, but sacrifice; which is the soul of Christianity.” The play provides a probing glimpse into history, while simultaneously inviting us to reflect on war, militarism and conscience in our day.

Sponsored by the Center on Conscience & War, the play will be touring the U.S. through April 21. See the list below for dates and locations and this Facebook page for show times:

March 19: Overbrook Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 21: Eastern Mennonite High School, Harrisonburg, Virginia

March 22: Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia

March 24: 15th St. Friends Meetinghouse, New York, New York

March 27: Manchester University, North Manchester, Indiana

March 28: Goshen College Umble Center, Goshen, Indiana

April 3: Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio

April 4: Central Mennonite Church, Archbold, Ohio

April 6: Catholic Worker of Michiana, South Bend, Indiana

April 8: Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo, New York

April 12: Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois

April 13: Highland Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Illinois

April 15: Iowa Mennonite School, Kalona, Iowa

April 18: Graceland University Carol Hall, Lamoni, Iowa

April 21: Washington, D.C. (location TBA)