Express & Star

Volunteers sought for new Cannock Chase First World War musical

Hundreds of volunteers are being sought to take part in a unique new musical based on Cannock Chase's First World War training camps - being staged on the site where they used to stand.

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The play, entitled Four Winters At War, has been written by playwright Peter Sidgwick to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great War.

It will be set outdoors in the forest setting of Birches Valley in June.

There were two camps on the Chase during the war and they helped to train around 500,000 men.

Cannock Chase Arts Council, which is behind the production, is looking for a huge team of actors, dancers, musicians and singers to take part. Painters, tapestry makers and artists to help design the colourful set are also needed.

The play follows the story of four soldiers who are sent to train on the Chase before being dispatched to fight in France and Belgium.

They become romantically involved with nurses serving at the nearby military hospital on Brindley Heath between 1915 and 1918.

The love story is fictional but the setting is based on the two large camps constructed on the Chase which held up to 40,000 men and boasted a church, post offices, bakery and even a theatre.

Tony McGovern, managing director of Cannock Chase Council, said: "Last year marked the centenary of the start of the First World War.

"Over the last 12 months a number of events and commemorations have taken place locally to remember the huge sacrifices made by men and women across Cannock Chase.

"We are delighted to be supporting this event."

Shows will be held on Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, between 6-9pm at Birches Valley Forest Centre. Composer Jon Seymour has created the music for the show.

Organisers say the performances will go ahead whatever the weather. They will be held on four different stages as the action moves from scene-to-scene. Audiences will be able to have 360-degree access to the various stages.

The production will also feature a choir of more than 100 singers.

Lisa Shephard, community wellbeing arts officer at Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust (WLCT), which runs leisure events in the district, said: "The event is providing local artists, both amateur and professional, with the opportunity to develop their creative skills in every aspect and will raise the profile of the district's local talent.

"It is heartwarming to see so many organisations, individuals and volunteers coming together to make, what was a seed of idea, actually come to fruition. It deserves every success."

Anyone interested in taking part in the project should email Peter Sidgwick at p.sidgwick@talktalk.net

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