KENDAL College Performing Arts stage The Accrington Pals at The Box Theatre, Kendal, from next Tuesday-Friday, March 11-14 (7.30pm).

Peter Whelan’s story tells of the many groups of friends, ‘Pals,’ who signed up in the early days of the First World War to fight for Kitchener’s Army. Based around the Lancashire town of Accrington,the play focuses on the women who stayed at home and the impact that the war had on everyone’s lives.

Kendal College head of acting Hilary Pezet, who directs the play, said she had performed in it many times when she was an actress. She added: “I love this play. To me it has a perfect balance of humour and pathos that moves along at a good pace and never loses sight of the fact that this was reality for a generation. I am constantly reminded that the young actors in the production are the average age of the original Pals who signed up for ‘King and Country.’ Hilary said that period uniforms and costumes supplied by military costumiers created a really authentic atmosphere: “I’ve added live music and songs of the period, as singing was as much a collective sharing of emotion as working together. There is also a complex set which has pushed the technical skills of our first year students who are creating all the sound and lighting.”

Performed by a talented local cast of young performers, which includes brother and sister, Emily and Elliot Baxter, Hilary said “the show promises to be a moving and spirited recounting of a period of history that we reflect on 100 years later.”

Tickets on 01539-814634.