THE poetry which made Wilfred Owen a spokesman for an entire generation will be brought to life in Marlborough next month, on the exact anniversary of his death just a week before the end of the First World War.

The poems, and some of Owen's equally famous letters from the Front, will be brought to life by in War and The Pity of War Dame Janet Suzman and top classical actor Alex Waldmann in an evening at Marlborough Town Hall.

"This is an amazing thing to be putting on," commented Nicholas Fogg, on behalf of Marlborough Arts Association, which has organised the night. "The word “unique” is pretty overworked, but it certainly applies to this event. To celebrate one of the most-loved poets in the English language, on the very centenary of his death in action, is something very special.

"I hope that this valuable link to some of our finest actors will grow."

ovember 4th sees a unique occasion. Marlborough Town Hall will host a programme at 7.30pm of readings from the poetry and letters of Wilfred Owen, on the centenary of his death in action in the Great War. ‘WAR, AND THE PITY OF WAR’ will be read by two distinguished actors. Dame Janet Suzman received an Oscar nomination for her performance in Nicholas and Alexandra. She has twice won the Evening Standard Award for best actress.. She has been nominated three times for a BAFTA Award. As the leading lady with the Royal Shakespeare Company she played all the main heroines, including Kate, Portia, Ophelia, Beatrice, Rosalind and Volumnia. Her Cleopatra is widely regarded as the finest of its generation. In 2012, she won the Pragnell Award for Lifetime Services to Shakespeare. Alex Waldmann is one of Britain’s most prolific classical actors. He has played major roles with the Royal Shakespeare, National Theatre and Globe Companies, including: Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, Sebastian in Twelfth Night, Horatio and Laertes in Hamlet, Henry VI in The Wars of the Roses, Orlando in As You Like It, Bertram in All’s Well That Ends Well, Brutus in Julius Caesar, and the title-role in King John

The programme was devised by Dr. Roger Pringle and commissioned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT) for the Stratford Poetry Festival, the oldest event of its kind in the world. His many poetry programmes have been presented at leading festivals in the UK and abroad. A former Director of the SBT, he spent many hours formulating Owen’s work and working with the actors on its presentation.

The performance is sponsored by Hiscox Insurance and is part of Marlborough Town Council’s Great War Centenary Commemorations. Tickets at £20 each for the 7.30pm show can be obtained at the White Horse Bookshop on High Street, Marlborough or through the Pound Arts Trust on 01249 701628/ www.poundarts.com