GREENFIELD — People will have an opportunity to step back in time to the months after the end of World War II with an event that will feature a dramatic monologue by Winston Churchill.
The setting is the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. The time is March 15, 1946. The performer is Kevin Radaker, a professor of English at Anderson University who has played the role of Churchill since 2016.
Radaker performs several one-man shows in character as the iconic British prime minister. He has also portrayed literary figures Henry David Thoreau and C.S. Lewis. His performances are based on the public speeches and private writings of the figures he studies.
His performance Tuesday evening at the Hancock County Public Library in Greenfield will be based mostly on Churchill’s memoirs during World War II, touching on topics including the Battle of Britain, Dunkirk, his friendship with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Britain’s conflict with the “Soviet menace” at the dawn of the Cold War.
Radaker said he generally does not try to translate the figures he plays into the present. Instead, he asks audiences to focus on the historical context.
“We ask you, the audience, to remove yourself to a point in the past,” he said.
The event is part of the History Speakers series at the library, designed by county historian Joe Skvarenina and reference librarian Paul McNeil. McNeil said the series typically tries to focus on Indiana history, but the opportunity to invite Radaker to speak was an exciting one because of his expertise and Churchill’s historical significance.
“He’s been on our radar for a while,” McNeil said.
Churchill is an important figure, Radaker said, because of his “courage and moral conviction” in standing up to the Nazis during World War II. Churchill’s decisions often made him unpopular with other leaders among the Allies.
Apart from his historical significance, Radaker said what appeals to him about Churchill, and the other figures he portrays, is their eloquence and sense of humor. That sets Churchill apart from modern-day politicians, he said.
“We don’t live in a culture that is nearly as literate and as used to lengthy speeches,” Radaker said.
To play the part of Churchill, Radaker has devoted summer breaks and a sabbatical from his job as a professor to studying Churchill’s writing. He also studies recordings of Churchill’s speeches to imitate his accent and cadence.
His physical appearance also suits the role, he said.
“The older I’ve become, the more I begin to look like Churchill — I keep losing my hair and I keep gaining weight,” Radaker said.
As in Churchill’s lifetime, the primary controversy in British politics right now relates to the country’s relationship with the rest of Europe; specifically, whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. While historians can’t know for sure, Radaker said, he believes Churchill would be opposed to the “Brexit” plan.
Still, the state of British politics today, he said, would be no surprise after the conflicts Churchill lived through.
“He wouldn’t be surprised about the rancor and the division,” Radaker said.
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Kevin Radaker will perform a dramatic monologue in character as Winston Churchill from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, at the Hancock County Public Library in Greenfield. Radaker will also answer questions about Churchill out-of-character after the performance.
Sign up for this free event at hcplibrary.org or call 317-462-5141, ext. 240.
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