Kamikaze

SYNOPSIS For three years, the North and South have waged civil war across Britain. The brutal conflict has polluted the environment and decimated the population. On the brink of defeat, the North plan to attack London with biological weapons. General Penn takes charge, but refuses to launch the missiles. Fuelled by ego and ambition, he provokes a reaction and makes his own unilateral demands. The North accuse Penn of treason and send in the army. Penn defends his Welsh stronghold and holds secret talks with the South. A truce is discussed, but London fear Penn's reputation and want the missiles as collateral. Penn is caught in no-man's land and rejects the deal. At his side his sister Teresa dreams of power and her husband Hardik argues for peace. Amongst the troops young Max is a hard-line fanatic, while Captain Butler and Delegate Campbell conspire with the North. Penn is conflicted and his authority undermined. From the air bombs rain down and northern soldiers enter the stronghold. Teresa and Hardik are killed and armed factions fight over the missiles. In the chaos Max's militants strike first, before Butler, Campbell and the soldiers take control. Penn is wounded and hunted like a fox. In the silo he curses fate and tries to abort the launch. Too late, the enemy close in and Penn's dream dies with him. INFORMATION Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) is the leading dramatist of German Classicism and 'Wallenstein' his most celebrated work. Set during the Thirty Years War, it depicts the vicious conflict between Protestant and Catholic and the downfall of a Bohemian duke. Inspired by Schiller's masterpiece, this adaptation sets the drama in modern Britain in an alternative timeline. As before, the land is ravaged by civil war and a powerful general is torn by political ambition, family loyalty and dreams of peace. CHARACTERS WILLIAM PENN 51. Ex-union leader, now a feared General in the North army. Penn is cursed by hubris and obsessed with his legacy. Driven by ego, he fights oppression, but leaves a trail of self-destruction. And war or peace, enemy or ally, Penn refuses to compromise and puts his life on the line. TERESA KAPOOR (née PENN) 45. Former university lecturer, Hardik's wife and Penn's sister. Teresa is a tough no-nonsense cynic who dreams of power. Loyal to Penn, she ignores the consequences and manipulates the situation to further her ambition. HARDIK KAPOOR 46. Human rights activist, Teresa's husband and Penn's chief advisor. Hardik is an old-school idealist who wants peace at any cost. Devoted to his wife and leader, he stands by his principles, but loyalty is a double-edged sword. LEWIS CAMPBELL 65. Career politician, Penn's mentor and Max's father. Campbell is a pragmatist trading in political expediency. Old comrades, he fought at Penn's side, until the General usurped power and stole his son's affection. MAX CAMPBELL 22. Hard-line militant, Penn's protégée and Campbell's estranged son. Max represents hope for the future, but his heroes are flawed. Torn between Penn, his father and political action, he rejects the old guard and turns to violence. CERYS BUTLER 35. Veteran soldier and Penn's trusted captain. Butler leads by example, but Campbell's machinations turn the soldier into an assassin. KARL STEINBERG 39. Senior military attaché and council advisor. Steinberg represents the North Leader, but negotiations are fraught and Penn's intransigence threatens the coalition. ALICE WRANGEL 42. Envoy and diplomat for the South. Deep in enemy territory Wrangel discusses terms, but the deal leaves Penn isolated and vulnerable.