A POWERFUL tribute folk-opera to the ordinary men and women whose lives were shattered by the First World War is heading to Bridport to mark the centenary year of the Battle of The Somme.

The inspirational folk-opera – A Day’s Work, is being performed at Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday September 17.

The show’s name came from the famous line dying soldier Thomas Atkins once said to the Duke of Wellington on his first day of battle.

“It’s all in a day’s work, sir.”

Many years later, the ‘Tommies’ who were named after him did another day’s work at the Somme.

They died in the thousands.

Summer 2016 has been the centenary of that battle, and Bridport Arts Centre marks it with a unique folk opera.

Written by Mick Ryan – well known on the folk scene and beyond for his singing and song-writing, and featuring 20 new songs, A Day’s Work tells the story of a group of Mummers.

Most of them join up, but one refuses.

The comedy of their roles as Mummers is tragically replayed at the front.

It examines the themes of peace, war, love, hate, courage and cowardice.

With a cast of wonderful folk singers and musicians, including twice BBC Folk Award winners Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar, and former Bridport resident Pete Morton, the show provides an evening of laughter, tears, choruses and powerful story telling in speech, song and drama.

Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar both come from musical households and were both singing long before joining forces and releasing an album together in 2012.

Multiple tours followed allowing the duo to develop and define their stage presence. Since then, they’ve become one of the most sought after young acts on the English Folk Scene.

* A Day’s Work, at Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday September 17 at 7.30pm. For tickets, contact the box office.