A NEW musical play about First World War poet Wilfred Owen will have its Wirral premiere next week.

Written by Oxton-based musician Dean Johnson, Bullets and Daffodils chronicles the life of one-time Wirral resident Wilfred, who was killed in action at the end of the First World War.

The play, which deals with his life before and during the conflict, will be staged at Birkenhead Central Library next Wednesday, November 10, from 2-4pm.

It can also be seen at Earlston Library in Liscard the following day, Thursday November 11 (Armistice Day) at 7pm. Tickets are £3.

The production explores Wilfred's relationship with his mother through his letters, poetry and his life's events.

A lifelong fan of Wilfred's work, Dean attended the same school as the poet, Birkenhead Institute.

Looking forward to next week's opening, the 50-year-old singer/songwriter told the Globe: "I'm really excited about the show and can't believe that after months of extensive research and work it's finally here.

"It's a really theatrical piece and being a Birkenhead lad, the project, from start to finish, has been something of a spiritual journey for me.

"Shrewsbury and Oswestry have claimed Wifred as their own, but a large part of his life was spent in Birkenhead, which is something I think a lot of people seem to forget. He's an important part of Wirral's cultural heritage.

"I played a version of the play's soundtrack during the Oxjam festival in London recently and it went down really well. I'm hoping Bullets and Daffodils is equally as successful."

The play has two characters, Wilfred and his mother Susan. It is set in a Victorian sitting room.

The dialogue is interspersed with songs written and performed by Dean. The play has the full support of the Wilfred Owen Association.

It also features the voice of actor Christopher Timothy - who appeared in classic BBC drama All Creatures Great And Small - as the narrator.

Dean, who is also in talks to take the production on an educational tour of schools across the country, said: "After I'd finished recording the music for the play, I needed to find someone to play the narrator.

"So I just Googled famous actors from Shrewsbury and Christopher's name was top of the list. So I emailed him to ask whether he'd be interested in the role and he agreed.

"Apparently, he's a huge fan of Wilfred's and takes a collection of his work with him whenever he's on tour with a play."

Christopher said: "Dean's songs based on Wilfred Owen's poems are fantastic!

"I am a life long admirer of Owen's work. It was an honour to be asked to be involved."

Born in Oswestry in 1893, Wilfred was brought up in Birkenhead and is recognised as one of the greatest voices of the First World War.

He also has a road named after him, on the former site of Birkenhead Institute, which is now a housing estate.

In 1915, he enlisted in the British Army and was killed, aged 25, on November 4, 1918, during the battle to cross the Sambre-Oise canal at Ors in Northern France.

At the time of his death he was virtually unknown. Only four of his poems were published during his lifetime.

But he had always been determined to be a poet and had experimented with verse from an early age. Among his 62 poems are 1914, Dulce et decorum est and Anthem For Doomed Youth.

Dean has been in the music business for more than 25 years and spends much of his time helping aspiring Wirral songwriters.

Last year, he made himself the envy of Beatles fans across the world when asked by Radio Merseyside presenter Spencer Leigh to complete the lyrics of a song written by George Harrison. The song, Silence (Is Its Own Reply) has now been recorded.

The single was released in August and performed during a special event at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool as part of the city’s Mathew Street festival later that month.