It has been a busy start to the new year for Manx theatre director John Young.

The successful producer will be holding auditions for members of the community to feature in his First World War production For The Fallen, marking 100 years since the end of the conflict in 1918.

Among these preparations, John is also in the middle of pre-production for a play in Manchester, called ’Vincent River’.

’It’s all got a little crazy over Christmas and New Year,’ John said. ’I’m hoping to make a really beautiful commemoration piece this year that reminds people what happened in the island during 1918.

’Since it’s the 100th anniversary of the First World War, it’s a good chance to honour the lives that were lost and the sacrafices that were made.

During his research, John read many Manx memories of the war in Matthew Richardson’s book ’This Terrible Ordeal’.

He said: ’The book was really impressive, filled with gorgeous letters. It was a particularly interesting time in the island and the war brought a massive change.

’The Isle of Man had the highest conscription rates in the UK and there was a lot of poverty, struggle and suffering here. It relied heavily on tourism, but once the war happened it changed everything,’ he added.

’The play is something I hope is very moving and is something that people really want to get involved in, as I want it to be a real community effort.

’I’m trying to get people who haven’t been on stage before and are interested and committed to the project.

’It would be great to have those with some experience already, as that will bring a healthy balance to the show.

’The roles don’t necessarily have to be on stage, as people can help design props or make-up,’ John explained.

’A professional team from the UK will also transform the theatre for the show.

’There will be a meet and greet tomorrow (Friday) at 7pm and the informal auditions will take place on Saturday at 10am in the Studio Theatre at Ballakermeen High School.’

For the Fallen will be shown for a week, with its opening on April 24.

The director, who was born in the UK but calls the Isle of Man ’home’, has worked on many pieces depicting the Manx way of life.

These include a production that ’showed the quirky side to the island’, titled ’Chips, Cheese and Gravy’ that was staged at TheatreFest last year.

However, John has scored success in the UK and abroad.

His version of Vincent River, that was written by storyteller Philip Ridley, will be held at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester next month.

’The play is about a mother whose son was killed in a homophobic attack and focuses on the impact his death has on the characters. I saw that play when I was went on a school trip to London to see it and we met Ridley in person.

’A few years later I contacted him about wanting to direct the play.

’This production is the one that made me want to become a play director,’ he said.

’It’s a beautiful, beautiful play and it’s really exciting that I get a chance to do it myself and build a good relationship with a really famous writer.’

One of John’s plays, Scattered, aimed to change stereotypes about asylum seekers and was shown around the UK before being staged at the Good Chance Theatre in the Calais refugee camp known as ’The Jungle’.

’It’s never been shown in the island before, but there is talk about the play remounting,’ John added.