THE Marco Players have announced that their new production will be Oh What a Lovely War, running from November 9 to 13 at 7.30pm in the Chorley Old Road Methodist Church.

The musical drama was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London, in March 1963. The vehicle for a chronicle of the horrors of the First World War, told through the songs and documents of the period, was given life in Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop.

"Every production was the fruit of close co-operation between writer, actor and director," explains director Alan Macpherson.

"The whole team participated in detailed research into the period and in the creative task of bringing their material to life in theatrical terms."

A similar style has been adopted by the company for this presentation.

"We don't have any leads as such, it's an ensemble piece," said Alan. "We've extended the stage outwards so it is virtually in the round."

The play has become a classic of modern theatre.

After winning the acclaim of London audiences and critics alike, it won the Grand Prix of the Theatre des Nations festival in 1963.

A film version was made in 1969, and it was revived and toured by the Royal National Theatre in 1998.

The company for the show includes Paul Costello, Jason Crompton, Ian Duckworth, David Holt, Alan Macpherson, Martin Pearce, Brian Seymour, Michael Thomas, Mark Weatherall, Natalie Crompton (who also choreographs), Carolyn Haslam, Judith Johnston, Gail Roberts and Sharon Shaw. Musical direction is by David Wilson.

"We decided to put it on a couple of years ago, but we scheduled have it during Remembrance Week," said Alan.

Tickets are available by phoning 01204 840824 .