THEATRE can convey powerful messages and that’s what will happen in a new production which opens in Barnsley later this month.

A Distant Country tells of one man’s journey from war-torn Poland to present day Cawthorne.

The show, staged by Grass Roots Theatre Group reflects the history of two nations as war ripped lives apart and many Polish people were forced to leave their homes and travel thousands of miles to safety.

The production runs at Barnsley Civic from Monday June 7 to Thursday June 10 and to support those performances there is an exhibition tomorrow (May 15) at Cawthorne Parish Room between 10am and 2pm.

A Distant Country tells the story of the courage and resilience of those who came to Barnsley and settled, married and raised families.

The play and exhibition came about when Yorkshire playwright, Sylvia Le Breton’s interest was sparked by a local Polish man’s life story.

The result is a piece which tells of courage and resilience. It follows the life of a Polish family during the Second World War as they travel from Poland to Yorkshire via Siberia, Iran and Italy.

It is fitting that 65 years after the war ended we can remember and celebrate the lives of those who suffered and the humanity that they endured.