THE horror of life in the trenches during the First World War will be recreated on stage when RC Sherriff's Journey's End comes to Malvern Theatres.

The play's star Philip Franks does not want audiences to be put off by its subject matter.

"It's a human, funny, touching, very moving portrayal of man in a terrible situation," he said.

In his view, the play is the best one written about war since Shakespeare wrote Henry V.

Journey's End explores the feelings of a group of men in a dugout in 1918 just before a huge German attack.

Franks plays Osborne, a teacher who has joined up late in life.

"He's a good kind man who listens to other people's problems," he said.

An interesting aspect of Osborne's character is his way of coping with his own and others' suffering.

"It's the question of what happens to a Samaritan who puts the phone down," said Franks.

Journey's End could not be further removed from his role in the farce Noises Off, which came to Malvern Theatres last year, or his part as affable tax inspector Charlie alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones in television classic The Darling Buds of May.

"It's a powerful, emotional experience not just a play about history, but a living idea about people and war," said Philip, whose recent projects include directing the theatre sequences in the Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet film Finding Neverland.

Journey's End runs in Malvern Theatres from Monday to Saturday November 15 to 20. Tickets £14 to £22 (students £8) from 01684 892277.