Soldiers'’ memories of both the First World War and the Afghan conflict, along with a look at the effect of military life on civilian families, are at the centre of Passion, a specially-commissioned play which Dorset-based AsOne Theatre Co brings to Warminster tomorrow night.

Marking the start of The Great War and the present withdrawal from Afghanistan this is a gripping new play with live music; five stories of soldiers and families 100 years apart. Interweaving newly gathered, original testimony, Passion is poignant, funny and bravely honest.

It takes you into the living room of news obsessed parents; into diaries of soldiers; down the camera lens, and over the top then and now; revealing how the ravages of war ripple down the generations.

Passion had its world premier in October at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange, and artistic director Jane McKell, who came up with the idea for the show, feels it is particularly appropriate for performance in a military community like Warminster on Armistice weekend.

“The Athenaeum is special. We toured there with our first production as a company in 2004 and have returned many times; this is our 10th anniversary tour. We hope to repeat a packed theatre,” said Jane, who will play the Mother figure in Passion herself, representing all the women down the years who have waited, hoped, prayed for and sometimes mourned their military menfolk.

“At its heart, the play is about the effect of war on families,” she said.

“Researching it has been a privilege and we have learned so much. I hope to see people leaving the theatre buzzing, as I have been, with questions and thoughts,” she added.

After appealing to Wessex families for WW1 memories, Jane did much of the research herself. She interviewed families and blended those notes with other historical research done by Stephanie Dale.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01985 213891.