MANY events took place in the past year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War - with more planned this year, and the war theme continues at Malvern’s Festival Theatre this week with the ever popular satirical musical, Oh What A Lovely War.

This show originally premiered at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1963 after Joan Littlewood had adapted the play from Charles Chilton’s work for radio through her company Theatre Workshop.

It was an immediate hit, subsequently transferring to the West End before opening on Broadway a year later and receiving four Tony Award nominations including Best Musical.

Packed with familiar songs from the World War One era - including It's a Long Way to Tipperary, Pack up Your Troubles and Keep the Home Fires Burning it will march into the Festival Theatre from tomorrow, Monday, February 16, to Saturday, February 21.

The songs will be performed against a projected backdrop of images and shocking statistics conveying the harsh realities of war.

Starring Wendi Peters, best known for her portrayal of the iconic Cilla Battersby in Coronation Street, alongside Ian Reddington (Eastenders,Coronation Street) with a supporting ensemble cast.

Alongside her screen work, Wendi is in much demand as a stage actress with recent credits including White Christmas at the Lowry, Manchester, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood at the Arts Theatre, West End and most recently Rutherford & Son for Northern Broadsides on National Tour.

Ian Reddington played Richard ‘Tricky Dickie’ Cole in Eastenders, and hapless drummer Vernon Tomlin in Coronation Street. His stage credits include the 1979 production of Oh What A Lovely War! at the Bristol Old Vic, as well as The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, The Shepherd’s Play, Piaf, Wild Oats and Once in a Lifetime, all for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

This production is directed by Terry Johnson, winner of nine British theatre awards including Olivier Awards for Best Comedy and Playwright of the Year. Produced by Christopher Malcolm Productions Ltd and Matthew Mitchell.

So pack up your troubles in your old kit bad and book now for this musical tribute to the men and women who saved our nation over 100 years ago.