As the world watches yet another deadly war unfold, the story of some homegrown soldiers and their struggles to come to terms with their own conflicts is the latest, timely, offer from the Vision Theatre Company.
The company, based at Vision Arts, in Haverfordwest, has chosen a gritty comedy-drama in contrast to its triumphant production of Calendar Girls - The Musical last year.
Our Boys, written by Jonathan Lewis, starred Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who) as Parry, Laurence Fox (Lewis) as Joe and Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter franchise) as Mick, when it showed to critical acclaim in the West End.
It is the story of five soldiers, among them veterans of the Falklands War and the Hyde Park bombing, convalescing in a military hospital, with pornography, bragging one-upmanship and cynical humour as their only means of mental escape.
Tensions arise when an officer is billeted with them, and a bitter, savage war of words, only just disguised as humour, is waged against him.
After an hilarious birthday party, the six find themselves facing charges of misconduct - and then the fighting really starts.
A bucket collection will be held at the end of each performance to support the humanitarian work being carried out in the Ukraine.
Vision Arts has established links with a performing arts centre in Kyiv, Ukraine to offer its support and this is where the donations will be sent.
The ProEnglish Drama School, in Kyiv has transformed the space in its Theatre Hub into a bomb shelter to host local elderly people, families with kids and even their cats - and today students spent their time barricading the windows with English textbooks.
Drew Baker, creative director of Vision Arts said: “Our hearts go out to all those suffering as a result of this unjust war. All of us at Vision Arts are particularly concerned about our Ukranian counterparts and we pledge to do whatever we can to support them through this terrible time.
The spirit of the students and staff at the ProEnglish Drama School is simply inspiring - and demonstrates just how resilient this industry is - and how it rolls up its sleeves to offer support to its local communities, regardless of what is going on in the background.
“We are working on fundraising plans - and will hold a bucket collection at the end of each performance - to support the brave students at the ProEnglish Drama School and their Art Shelter at War. If you would like to contribute you can do so here: https://patreon.com/proenglish_theatre ”
You can watch Our Boys at Vision Arts, Cartlett, Haverfordwest on March 24, 25 and 26 at 7.30pm. Check out www.visionartswales.com for tickets.