David Olusoga, the well-known TV historian, is set to deliver a talk titled A Gun Through Time at the Pavilion Theatre on April 20 next year.
The show promises to share the human stories behind some of the world’s most impactful firearms.
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David, famous for his BBC series A House Through Time and Black and British: A Forgotten History, is setting out on this tour for the first time in November.
He’ll be asking the intriguing question of how a single weapon can shape history ranging from £37 to £52.
They can be purchased here.
In A Gun Through Time, the historian will delve into the concealed stories behind three globally influential firearms.
Each gun carries a complex legacy, entwining conquest, survival, and social upheaval.
(Image: Supplied)
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David said: “My first passions as a boy—when I first got into history—were the First and Second World Wars.
“But I was always much more interested in the experiences of ordinary people caught up in those great events than I was in the speeches and strategies of politicians and generals.
“So this is not a show about guns and how they work technically, nor is it about the tactics of battle.
“It’s about the cultures that emerged from the millions of people for whom these weapons became part of their lives.”
He continued: “I come from a generation that, unlike our ancestors, has had little contact with firearms.
“This makes us incredibly fortunate and unique, living in a rare era of peace.
“In the last century, two generations were conscripted into massive armies, with millions bearing arms in wars.
“Today, most of us have never even seen a gun, thanks to strict gun laws and a smaller military.
“This show explores how guns were once integral to life, shaping our history and culture.
“Yet, as conflicts re-emerge, the peace we’ve known feels fragile, with echoes of the past returning to modern battlefields and a renewed call for defence readiness in Britain.”
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He plans to display four iconic firearms on stage, each with its own world-altering narrative.
The Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, which evolved from a WWI “wonder weapon” to the infamous “Tommy Gun” of Prohibition-era America, is one of them.
Another is the Maxim Gun, which helped to conquer African territories and wreaked havoc on the Western Front, and is still seen on modern battlefields like Ukraine.
The Lee-Enfield Rifle, a soldier’s trusty ally in both World Wars and a family heirloom for two generations of Brits, also features.
He’ll also look at the British Brown Bess flintlock musket from the 18th and 19th centuries, used by British soldiers at Waterloo and American rebels in their fight for independence.
This live show allows attendees to see these historic artifacts up close, learn about their hidden social histories, and ask David questions about the stories behind them.
