FOR actor Tom Lister, the timing of a major production of Peter Whelan's classic play The Accrington Pals, could not be more apt.

"It's just so poignant when you consider what's going on in the world at the moment," said Tom who plays Ralph in a new version of the play at the West Yorkshire Playhouse which opens next week.

"It's such a cracking piece of theatre in itself and now it's been given an added depth by the uncertainty about whether there will be a war against Iraq."

The Accrington Pals tells the story of the lads who joined up and left for the battlefields of the Somme full of hope and the family and friends they left behind.

On the opening day of the Somme, the Pals regiment suffered horrendous losses and the impact this had on their home town is reflected in the play.

"Being a northerner I could recognises the sense of community and the spirit of these people straight away," said Tom.

"My character Ralph just wants to be a hero and cannot wait to get involved in the action. He sees is as a great adventure. Then when he sees what the reality of war is like he just crumbles. Initially the Pals battalions must have seemed such a good idea as you had this great spirit of comradeship and all friends and relatives heading off together. But it led to a whole generation being taken; it's just horrific when you think of it."

Before rehearsals started for this major revival of the play, Whelan came to talk to the cast. "He was wonderful," said Tom. "A lot of the characters in the play are connected to his growing up in Salford. It was extremely enlightening for us to listen to him."

Through the play Tom must take his character through a whole range of emotions.

"It is a very draining production," he said during a break in rehearsals. "We haven't done it from start to finish yet and I'm dreading it."

To most actors their latest role is just another job. Acting is what they do and a role is what they have been chosen to play. But for the Accrington Pals, it's a production which means much more to the cast.

"It is a privilege to be putting on such a compelling piece of theatre as this," said Tom. "For me I must say it's an incredibly humbling experience. So many young men died on the Somme and we are in our way paying tribute to them. This isn't just a story, it was something that actually happened."

Previews of The Accrington Pals start at the West Yorkshire Playhouse tonight with the production officially running from Thursday, February 27 to Saturday, March 29. Details from the box office on 0113 2137700.