"PEOPLE will be entertained, but we really want people to go away thinking about the war and what happened."

Wendi Peters, a long-time star of Coronation Street where she played the infamous Cilla Battersby-Brown, will take to the stage in Malvern next month to star in Oh, What A Lovely War.

The musical, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, has been revived to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

Wendi plays a number of roles within the show, which opens on January 29 at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

"I play various parts, from a Duchess, to a shop-worker to a Lancashire lass working in a munitions factory," she said.

"I love playing multi-roles, it's fun and it's a challenge. I get to sing some fantastic songs and just really have a great time. We're a cast of 12, all playing various roles.

"We're just putting in the finishing touches to the show now and doing some fine-tuning, so we have the costume fitting and final rehearsal with the full band. It's only when you see it all in its final form that you suddenly say 'Wow, this is fantastic'."

The satirical musical is a colourful and moving look at the First World War, featuring songs from the time such as It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and Keep the Home Fires Burning.

"It's lively, and it is above all entertaining, and people will come and be entertained, but we really hope people will leave thinking about the war. I hope people will think 'What on earth were we thinking back then?' I knew about the First World War of course, but I didn't know about it in detail as I didn't study it in school. But when I heard some of the figures about how many men died, I couldn't believe it. It's tragic," Wendi added.

Although she started off her career in theatre and musicals, Wendi said for this performance she took some tips from an unlikely source.

She said: "When I first got the role I watched the film version, but I didn't get to see it on stage. But my daughter's school was actually putting on the play and my daughter was playing one of the roles that I am actually playing, so she gave me some tips.

"She is following in my footsteps and I say to her that as long as she understands the pitfalls and what the acting world is really all about, then I can only encourage her because I can't moan — I've had a great time. I love doing television, and it is more sociable, but theatre is what made me fall in love with the career, and if someone made me choose, I would choose theatre."

Oh, What A Lovely War will be at Malvern Theatres from February 16 to February 21.

Tickets start at £19.60.

Call 01684 892277 for tickets and for more information visit www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.