A PLAY interweaving five stories evoking the effect of The Great War and more recent conflicts on families will be premiered on Wednesday.

Passion will be performed at Dorchester Corn Exchange at 7.30pm.

The award-winning South Dorset-based professional company AsOne is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year by touring Passion across southern counties.

Dorset-based brothers Mike and David Bowman have shared the story of their grandfather’s diary.

The play also reveals why Linda and Peter Thornton have started a Dorset charity, the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

Marking the start of The Great War and the present withdrawal from Afghanistan 2014, Passion features live music performed by the ensemble cast of actor musicians, composed by Tim Laycock, who also performs.

It tells five stories of soldiers and families 100 years apart by interweaving this newly-gathered, original testimony.

Artistic director Jane McKell said: “Passion is a very special play for our tenth anniversary. It has been a privilege to talk with the families involved in creating it. Their stories have touched and thrilled us, and although very personal, are universal.

“Their recorded memories, with the skilled help of Andy Worth, have been lodged at the Dorset History Centre, and are available as legacy internet podcasts for all who wish to download them.”

Touring out of Dorchester and into 20 venues in nine counties, Passion visits The Mowlem, Swanage, on Friday, October 10, Shaftesbury Arts Centre on Wednesday, October 29 and has its finale performance at Weymouth Pavilion Theatre on Friday, November 21, supporting the Royal British Legion and John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

Tickets available from Dorchester Arts Centre on 01305 266 926 or Dorchester TIC on 01305 267 992.