The LADS are proud to present 'The Accrington Pals' by Peter Whelan, directed by Alison Utting.

'The Accrington Pals' by Peter Whelan follows the lives of five men and five women from Accrington in Lancashire.

In 1914, nearly 800 local men volunteered to fight in the Great War. On a summer's morning in 1916, the 'Pals' battalion was almost completely wiped out on the first day of the Somme.

By telling their tale, and the story of their womenfolk at home, Whelan has created 'one of the best plays ever about the First World War,' said Michael Billington.

It examines not only the pity of war, but the huge social changes that happened as a result of the conflict. Could women do 'men's jobs'? Should newspapers always be believed? Was poverty a fact of life that could not be resisted? Is patriotism a force for good or a means of control?

'The Accrington Pals' explores all these issues through the powerful stories of individual characters. The play has moments of warmth and humour, as well as the looming tragedy unfolding in the trenches.

Performances take place at LLanymynech Village Hall on November 16 and 17 and Ellesmere College on November 19 and 20.

Performances start at 7.45pm, doors open 7.15pm.

Tickets £7 (£3.50 U16s) available online www.ladstheatre.co.uk or to reserve on the door phone 01691 830558.