Arts & Culture
Free exhibition: 'We’re here because we’re here' Battle of the Somme memorial

Salisbury Playhouse will document We’re here because we’re here, the incredibly moving, award-winning contemporary memorial.

The exhibition documenting the day-long work will be staged in the upstairs foyer areas of the Playhouse from October 4 to October 26.

On 1 July 2016 1,400 volunteers dressed as First World War soldiers to participate in a UK-wide memorial.

Commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, the work was created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre.

The project saw participants wearing historically accurate uniforms juxtaposed with elements of contemporary life such as car parks or shopping centres.

They were a reminder of the 19,240 men killed at the Somme on 1 July 1916.

The soldiers did not speak but at points throughout the day would sing ‘we’re here because we’re here’ which was sung in the trenches in the First World War. Each participant represented a soldier who was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

Participants handed out cards to passers-by with the name and regiment of the soldier they represented and, where known, the age of the soldier when he died on 1 July 1916.

The memorial was produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the National Theatre and 23 regional theatres, including Salisbury Playhouse.

We’re here because we’re here won a National Lottery Award last September for Best Heritage project.

  • Free exhibition: 'We‚Äôre here because we‚Äôre here' Battle of the Somme memorial