In "Echoes of Wartime" a joint cast of English and German actors will bring to life wartime stories gathered in Crediton and Fulda, the town in central Germany where St Boniface is buried.
Nowadays the towns are closely linked by a strong bond of friendship, but during the Great War of 1914-1918 they were mortal enemies.
“We want to discover and share the similarities as well as the differences between the experiences in Fulda and in Crediton during the First World War”, said Anthony Richards, Artistic Director of the project.
"We’ve heard much about the fighting in trenches, but our interest is in the impact of the war on ordinary people living in our two towns at an extraordinary time.”
The production is the result of three years collaboration between the Devon-based theatre company Common Players, led by Anthony Richards, and two companies in Fulda, Theatre Mittendrin and FTF Theatre.
Rod Brookes-Hocking, who is leading the English production team, told the "Courier": “The First World War was more than a gruesome military battle which killed millions.
"On the Home Front it brought about huge changes to the lives of ordinary people. To die for King and Country in England, or for the Kaiser in Germany, was a truly noble thing. And of course both the English and Germans believed that God was on their side.”
Much of the research for the project was done by local writer, Mary Stephenson, who delved into archives and read diaries and newspaper articles in both Crediton and Fulda, to learn about the experiences and thoughts of real people during the war.
A core of professional actors from both countries will be joined by local performers and musicians, including students from QE Academy, to present a theatrical event involving drama, music and dance.
“We’ll add poetic licence to history to hear some real stories, reflect on the impulses we feel to fight, the justifications we give whilst doing so and some of the consequences," explains Anthony Richards.
In late August the English and German actors will spend five days together in Crediton devising and rehearsing the show.
They will meet again for 10 days in early October to further rehearse the production, which will be performed first at Crediton Congregational Church from October 11 to 13 and then in Fulda on October 19 and 20.
In Germany the project is funded by Fulda Town Council and in England it is supported by Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, Devon County Council and Crediton Town Council.
More details can be found at: www. echoesofwartime.com .
Tickets are already available online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/common-players and from early September at the Crediton Community Bookshop, 21 High Street, Crediton, telephone 01363 774740.