Wilfred Owen is the subject of a new musical play being showcased in Birkenhead

Jun 15 2011 by Catherine Jones, Birkenhead News

HE may have been born in Shropshire and died in France, but Wilfred Owen spent much of his childhood in Birkenhead.

The Wilfred Owen Story, the only museum in Britain dedicated to the war poet’s memory, opened in the town’s Argyle Street this year.

Now a musical play, charting his brief life, has been penned by fellow Birkenhead Institute old boy Dean Johnson and journalist DavidCharters.

Dean, who has worked with musicians including the Beach Boys and Wet Wet Wet, had previously written a songs about Owen.

He explains: “I was always fascinated by a seemingly slight and gentle figure, who grew into the soldier capable of writing such bitter, searing and strangely beautiful poetry – which should chill the souls of those thinking about the reality of war.”

That poetry includes two of the most significant pieces of World War I – Anthem for Doomed Youth and Dulce et Decorum Est.

David has now created a script linking the songs, now brought to life by Birkenhead actor Martin Nelson, 25.

“Martin lifts the whole production with his youthful spirit and professionalism,” says David. He bears a physical resemblance to Owen, who was killed when he was 25.”

All the action takes place in a museum visited by the ghost of the poet. There, he tells the audience what he really thinks about life and the way his reputation has been enhanced by academics.

The show will be performed before an invited audience at the Wilfred Owen Story tonight, June 15.

It will then receive a performance in September at the Lyceum in Port Sunlight, as part of the Wirral Firsts Festival, and at St John’s Hall in Hackney on Armistice Day.