BADAPPLE Theatre Company is celebrating after receiving a grant towards its imminent tour of The Thankful Village, a play set in the First World War which goes on tour this month.

News of the Arts Council funding came as rehearsals got underway leaving cast and backstage crew grateful and delighted in equal measure.

The Thankful Village tours to small venues from October 11 to November 11 in time for centenary commemorations surrounding the Great War.

The drama, seen through the eyes of three women, is a story of hope, humour and humanity about the men who went away, the women left behind, and the eccentric twists and turns of daily life that led to reunions, for better or for worse, in the winter of 1918.

"This funding has given the whole creative team a massive boost," said artistic director Kate Bramley. “The actors have shown such passion and determination in creating this beautiful show and the Arts Council support really validates all of the hard work our halls, organisers and creative staff have already put in.”

Thankful villages were rare places which lost no men in the Great War because who left to serve came home again. Only

53 such places could claim this after the end of the conflict.

Set in Yorkshire, the production gives an alternative perspective to the long years of 1914-1918 told through the eyes of three women from the same rural household – both below and above stairs – as they cope after their menfolk march off to Flanders.

Songs featured in the play will be part of SONY award-winning singer songwriter Jez Lowe’s live appearance on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night Ballads of the Great War programme with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in November.

The actors are Sarah Raine (Edie), Zoe Land (Nellie) and Frances Tither (Victoria Proud).

This year marks Badapple Theatre Company’s 20th anniversary of touring. Based at Green Hammerton, near York, its mission remains to take productions to the smallest of rural venues and communities so that the best of new theatre can be found in the most unexpected of places.

Tour dates in North Yorkshire include: October 13, 13 Yarm Fellowship Hall (01642 888786); October 18 & 19, Coore Memorial Hall, Scruton (01609 748595); October 31, Husthwaite Village Hall (01347 868130); and November 2, Potto Village Hall (01642 700609). Performance start at 7.30pm. Ticket prices vary, contact the venue for details.