THE upheaval of the Second World War will be the backdrop to a musical in Hartlepool later this month.

A team which produced a previous successful show in the town with a stage adaptation of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, will perform a very different, story.

Set in 1943, the time of Italy's surrender, Private Angelo tells the tale of an ordinary Italian soldier. Lacking courage, but blessed with wisdom and humour, Private Angelo manages to steer a path through the war.

There are moments of comedy as the hero falls in love with two women.

The tale is brought to Hartlepool by Mike Maran and his team and is adapted from the book of the same title by Eric Linklater

Private Angelo will be staged at the Town Hall Theatre, in Raby Road, on Monday, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £6 or £5 concessions and are available from the box office on (01429) 890000