ACCLAIMED stage production Far, Far From Ypres, written and directed by Ian McCalman, was performed at Irvine’s Volunteer Rooms on Saturday, November 11.

It is a tribute in song and poetry about those who fought and died in WW1, telling the story of Jimmy McDonald who ‘comes from any village, town or city in Scotland’.

First performed in 2012, the production was brought back to mark the 100 years since the start of the ‘war to end wars’.

The performance was part of Irvine Folk Club’s 50th anniversary series of events and, helped by the support of North Ayrshire Council, the club was delighted to stage the show in Irvine.

The show is narrated by Broadcaster Iain Anderson and features impressive singing and harmonies from 26 of Scotland’s finest folk musicians who remain on stage for the duration of the performance.

Enhancing the audience’s understanding of the unfolding story is a backdrop of cleverly selected and presented images.

Far, Far From Ypres began as an album of Soldiers’ Marching and Trenches’ songs and poems, giving a vivid insight into the attitudes and concerns of the troops in the trenches.

From the album, Ian McCalman was inspired to write a narrative around the songs.

Anne Clarke of Irvine Folk Club said: “Having been at the performance in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall some years ago, we knew then that we wanted to stage it in Irvine and by happy coincidence a date was eventually secured which tied in with the Club’s 50th anniversary.”

Provost and North Ayrshire Veterans Champion Ian Clarkson said: “This was an absolutely brilliant performance and a huge well done and congratulations to Irvine Folk Club for bringing this show to the town.

“From the very start, I was enthralled and captivated by the way the singers used songs, poems, music and pictures to graphically present World War 1.

“The show had a bit of everything and whether it was with raw emotion or humour, we were taken to the trenches of Ypres, in France, and made aware of the conditions endured by those brave men and women 100 years ago.

“Everything about it was professionally done and it was an excellent portrayal of such a difficult and emotive message. I will remember the story for a long, long time.”