The Valentine Letters

Jo Emery Productions is presenting the première of a brand new play, ’The Valentine Letters’, by Steve Darlow and based on the book ‘Geprüft” by Frances Zagni, at the Maltings Theatre, St Albans, from Thursday 9^th November to Saturday 11^th November, with a matinée on the Saturday afternoon. The play, produced and directed by Jo Emery, is based upon the Second World War letters between Prisoner of War John Valentine and his wife Ursula. These letters, which have been compiled and edited by John and Ursula’s daughter, Frances, provide a unique and unprecedented insight in to how two people struggled to find solace, and kept their hopes and love alive despite the anxieties of John’s dangerous operational life and his three years behind barbed wire. How John’s health deteriorated, returning a different man to the one Ursula first knew and fell in love with. The play covers the themes of separation, isolation, coping, and change, with humorous and heartwarming moments interspersed throughout. It is a remarkable account of the effect of the Second World War on the lives of a young married couple and their generation. 

The writer Steve Darlow said “John and Ursula’s letters, numbering almost 600, are a remarkable personal insight into the effects of the war and wartime conditions. It is particularly poignant that we can present this play over the Remembrance weekend, to honour the sacrifice these people made in terms of lives lost and the lasting mental and physical damage they suffered.”  

Director Jo Emery said “ It’s a real privilege to be able to work on this moving and touching piece of new writing with three talented actors, Tom Hilton in the role of John, Katie Hamilton in the role of Ursula, and Charlotte Drummond-Dunn in the role of Frances. It’s sure to appeal to many people on this Remembrance Weekend.”

“The Valentine Letters” plays from Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th November, at 8pm and with a Saturday matinée on the 11th at 2.30pm. The Maltings Theatre, St Albans, AL1 3HL
Box Office: https://ovo.org.uk
Tickets £17 (no concessions) Running time approx. 1 hour 30m including 15m interval. 

• Show: current/future_show
• Society Name: 640814
• Venue Name: The Maltings Theatre | Level 2 | The Maltings Theatre, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HL
• Opening date: 09/11/2023
• Venue Postcode: AL13HL
• Closing date: 11/11/2023
• Region: east_of_england
• Credits ( author / playwright ): Steve Darlow
• Website: https://ovo.org.uk/big-shows/the-valentine-letters/
• Tickets cost per person (£): £17 plus booking fee
• Box Office phone number: 07706025348