BASINGSTOKE and Fareham Fluid Motion youth theatre groups will come together on Sunday, December 14, to commemorate the centenary of the start of WW1.

They will perform Mrs Gill's Grand Matinee, an immersive show that takes the audience right back to 1914, in Winchester’s Chesil Theatre at 2pm and 4pm. The groups have spent the last three months putting it together, researching what life was like for children during the war and creating their own music hall style fundraiser.

It’s late 1914 and Britain, along with her allies, has been at War with Germany for just under five months.

Swathes of men, young and old signed up to show their patriotism with many thinking that the war would surely be over by Christmas, but this was not to be the case.

With Christmas just around the corner, troops are digging in for the winter for what looks to be a long, hard stalemate in France. Local communities respond by sending presents or food and some put on their own fundraising events to raise money or equipment for the troops.

Mrs Gill and some local children have decided to do just that. They cordially invite you to their ‘Grand Matinee’ full of music, theatre, variety and the odd surprise.

The young people of Fluid Motion Youth Theatre have been working for three months, researching the Home Front and exploring their own family links to creating their own charity fundraiser.

Tickets cost £5 child (under 15), £8 adult, with half of all ticket sales going to The British Legion.

For information on how to purchase tickets, log on to fluidmotiontheatre.co.uk.