An affectionate tribute to the heyday of radio comedy, the defiant spirit of a nation at war and an enchanting love story is coming to Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold this week.

Peter Rowe directs the première of Somewhere in England, a new play about the BBC, at the height of the London Blitz, evacuating its radio output from London and Bristol to Bangor in North Wales.

The play opens on Friday, October 17 in the Anthony Hopkins Theatre and can be seen until Saturday, November 8.

In 1941, at the height of the London blitz, it was decided that the stars of the nation’s favourite radio comedy It’s That Man Again should be removed to a place of safety.

So the nation’s comedy stars found themselves in a draughty Penrhyn Hall in Bangor, pretending to an audience of millions that they were still ‘somewhere in England’.

Locals are suspicious of this invasion but star struck at the prospect of meeting their heroes – including Arthur Askey and Tommy Handley – on their streets. Love blossoms in the most unlikely places.

Somewhere in England captures the mood of a nation united in wartime and sustained by the broadcasts of their favourite comedy stars.

Featuring live music from the 1940s – including hits such as In The Mood, Sunny Side of the Street and Love Is The Sweetest Thing – the play captures the hopes and fears of a nation at war.

Peter Rowe directs a company of 13, following his hit shows in Mold including Guys and Dolls and the pantomimes Beauty and the Beast, Dick Whittington and Sleeping Beauty.

An associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru, he is a former artistic director of the Liverpool Everyman and Chester Gateway and is currently artistic director of the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich. His West End shows include Boyband and Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Philip Bretherton plays Tommy Handley. An associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Philip was seen most recently as Alan in God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza and Jaques in As You Like It by William Shakespeare.

Philip has been in many film, theatre and TV roles over the past 20 years, making him a well known face to audiences around the world. He starred as Alistair Deacon in the hit BBC sitcom As Time Goes By, alongside Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.

Phylip Harries plays Mostyn. An associate of Clwyd Theatr Cymru, his roles range from the Dame in a string of record-breaking rock ‘n’ roll pantos, to Dai Probert in Rape of the Fair Country and Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.

In addition to appearing on stage, he is an associate director of Theatr na n’Og, the voice of Grandpa Max in the Welsh version of Ben 10 and Louie Knight, Aberystwyth’s only private detective for Radio 4.

Company members Richard Elfyn and Sara Harris-Davies are also associates of Clwyd Theatr Cymru. They performed in Mold and on a national tour with the company in the record-breaking centenary production of Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, directed by Terry Hands, last season.

Alex Parry, playing Idris Price, was a member of Clwyd Youth Theatre. His roles for the company include Sir Ivor and Primp in Beauty and the Beast, King Rat in Dick Whittington and Mr Gilmer in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird.

Kraig Thornber takes the part of Horace Percival. He is familiar to Mold audiences from the hit musicals Guys and Dolls, The Threepenny Opera, Happy End and Sugar, the musical of Some Like It Hot.

Playwright Mike James has worked in theatre and TV for more than 30 years as a writer, producer and director.

A former artistic director of the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, his current work includes Tom – based on the early life of Tom Jones - for Theatr na n’Og and Jackie: The Musical – a nostalgic look back at the 70s and the famous teen magazine, which begins a nationwide tour next year.

For booking details, visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or call 01352 701521.