THE stories of those who refused to fight in the First World War are brought to life in a powerful drama at Middlesbrough Town Hall this weekend.

Devils on Horseback ells the story of men forced to stand trial for their religion, politics, and human conscience. There are performances tonight at 7.30pm and tomorrow at 7pm.

Written by journalist, author and academic Prof Tim Crook, the play is inspired by colourful true stories from London’s archives – many of which went unheard at the time as local press found themselves banned from proceedings.

The play is produced by North East theatre-maker Tom Powell and performed in the town hall courtroom by a cast of young actors from new company Creative Vortex Productions.

Set in 1917, it recreates with a little artistic licence the secret hearings of men hauled in front of a tribunal for refusing to enter the Armed Forces.

About 6,000 conscientious objectors refused to fight as conscription laws enlisted 2.5m extra British troops after 1916. Some were locked up, others entered civilian service or were forced into serving.

The story brings to life a postman who said no, a priest who won a Victoria Cross saving lives in No Man’s Land, the Labour activist and suffragist who later became Deptford's first woman mayor, and the militarist conservative William Wayland who raised one of the highest numbers of recruits of any urban borough in the Great War.

A film adaptation of Devils on Horseback is currently in post-production.