A play inspired by real letters sent between a young married couple in the Second World War is heading to the Maltings Arts Theatre.

The Valentine Letters is written by Steve Darlow and based on the book Geprüft by Frances Zagni.

Produced and directed by Jo Emery, the play is based on the letters sent between Frances' parents - prisoner of war John Valentine and his wife Ursula. 

The letters, compiled and edited by Frances, show how two people struggled to find solace and hope despite John's three-year imprisonment, and how he returned a changed man.

Tickets for the play are available at https://ovo.org.uk/maltings-theatre/. 

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Performances take place from Thursday, November 9 to Saturday, November 11 at 8pm, with a Saturday matinée at 2.30pm.

John will be played by Tom Hilton and Ursula by Katie Hamilton, with Charlotte Drummond-Dunn in the role of Frances.

Steve said: "John and Ursula’s letters, numbering almost 600, are a remarkable personal insight into the effects of the war and wartime conditions.

"It is particularly poignant that we can present this play over the Remembrance weekend, to honour the sacrifice these people made in terms of lives lost and the lasting mental and physical damage they suffered."