NORTH County Theatre, based in Richmond, is best known for staging ripping yarns and fast-paced comedy, but for this year's autumn tour it has produced something a little different in line with commemorations for the First World War centenary.

Director Nobby Dimon has revived his stage adaptation of A Month in the Country, based on the novel by the North Yorkshire writer, J L Carr, first published in 1980. The story of a fondly remembered rural past encompasses love, loss and recovery.

“We’ve always been interested in stories with a north country flavour or angle," said Mr Dimon. "This delightful and evocative tale of a lost time is set in an imaginary village, somewhere on the edge of the Hambleton hills just after the First World War, so it seemed right up our street in more ways than one."

The novel tells how two men, an artist and an archaeologist recently returned from the horrors of the trenches, find themselves working side by side in a village church uncovering a medieval mural.

Slowly they reveal an ancient mystery and hidden passions while discovering for themselves the healing power of spending a summer's month in the country.

The actors are William Vasey and another newcomer, Ashley Tucker, along with North Country Theatre regulars Mark Cronfield, from Wensleydale, and Thomas Frere, from York.

On the first morning of rehearsals, Mr Dimon took the company to absorb the atmosphere at St Agatha’s Church, Easby, just outside Richmond, where medieval wall paintings have been found.

J L Carr was born in Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk. He was the son of a railwayman and set several of his novels in the area.

A Month in the Country was the winner of the Guardian Fiction prize and shortlisted for the Booker award. The Euston Films version came out in 1987 with Colin Firth and Kenneth Branagh and Natasha Richardson in the starring roles.

The stage adaptation was first toured in 2002. The new production with set designs by Simon Pell, of Barnard Castle, opens at the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, on October 1, before embarking on a 46-date tour until December 6.

Venues in this region include: October 1 & 2, Richmond Georgian Theatre Royal (01748 825252); Oct 3, Sawley Village Hall (01765 620250); Oct 7, Husthwaite Village Hall (01347 868130); Oct 8, West Burton Village Hall (01969 663373); Oct 16, Long Newton, Wilson Centre (01642 583002); Oct 17, Helmsley Arts Centre (01439 771700); Oct 18, Northallerton, Forum (01609 772620); Oct 21, Thornton le Beans Village Hall (01609 780208); Oct 24, Barnard Castle, The Witham (01833 631107); Oct 25, Newton le Willows Village Hall (01677 450715); November 1, Hunton Village Hall (01677 450545/ 07702 521410).

November 6, Ripon Grammar School (01765 602647); Nov 7, North Stainley Village Hall (01765 635236); Nov 11, Stockton, Holy Trinity with St Mark Church (01642 653643); Nov 14, Great Broughton Village Hall (01642 712437); Nov 15, Leyburn Methodist Hall, matinee and evening (01748 825288); Nov 18, Knayton Village Hall (01845 537457); Nov 19, Masham Town Hall (01765 680200); Nov 22, Yarm Fellowship Hall (01642 888786); Nov 27, Bellerby Memorial Hall (01969 622470); Nov 28, Hawes, Dales Countryside Museum(01969 666210); Nov 29, Hutton Rudby Village Hall (01642 701744/ 701586).

December 2, Gilling West Village Hall (01748 850158); Dec 3, Marton cum Grafton Village Hall ( 01423 325179); Dec 6, Reeth Memorial Hall (01748 884759).

The full tour schedule can be found at northcountrytheatre.com or by ringing 01748 825288.