"Yes and no - no because I think it is important to have this story told and reflect on the war all the time and not just on these big anniversaries."

I have asked director Alastair Whatley if he thinks it is important that Sebastian Faulks' wartime novel Birdsong is on tour around the time of the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

He continued to explain: "But this year is the 99th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and we might go onto London when it will be the 100th and there is something moving about that change between two digits to three which seems to make it go from recent history to distant.

"It seems a lot further out of reach. I think there might be a few children left and possibly a nurse but still we have lost that connection."

Whatley will be bringing Faulks' mesmerising novel of love and courage to The Courtyard in Hereford from Monday, June 8 until Saturday, June 13.

On the Wednesday there will be a pre-show talk with colonel Andy Taylor who will discuss Herefordshire Regiment's involvement in the First World War.

Set in pre-war France, a young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down.

As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground.

Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.

Birdsong has been touring for three years and, unusually, Whatley as director and actor, has been touring with it.

When I speak to him he is in Leeds for the second week.

"We're enjoying our time in Leeds. We've just done two, two week runs here and in Bristol.

"When you do a longer run it is nice to be in one place for a bit but usually when you arrive on a Monday there's always a buzz because you are in a new venue.

"But this Monday felt like putting on a familiar jumper though you do get different challenges.

"Anyone who performs a long run has to make sure the show still feels fresh and exciting to perform.

"It's like an electric shock being somewhere new."

That's not to say Leeds hasn't been without its perils - the previous evening's performance was interrupted by the same person's mobile phone going off four times - a bugbear of anyone who enjoys the theatre.

"An audience member had to tell the person in no uncertain terms to leave but it all makes each show different."

Having tried to read Birdsong in his 20s, he said it was only when he returned to it when he was older that he could truly appreciate the novel.

"I got through some of it, I remember struggling at university in my early-20s through the first bit then I got drawn into it then I came to it again just before I got the rights to adapt it and I devoured it .

"Maybe it was because I had more experience in like so it spoke to me in a different way.

"I don't think I could fully appreciate it when was younger.

"I read it in one sitting and then read it again.

"I thought I had to try and tell the story on stage.

"It's a novel I think will stand the test of time.

"Some books you read and you love them but then you put them down and forget about it but some will stay with you forever.

"Everyone talks about the war stuff which is so powerfully written by Sebastian but it was the love story itself which blew me away when I went back to it."

It could be hard trying to stage such a well-loved and critically acclaimed book but Whatley explains how he deals with those expectations.

"At our question and answer sessions I think about 70 per cent of the audience have read the novel.

"But I tell them I can't create the experience they have had reading it because what we all do with those characters when we read a book is bring those words to life.

"We imagine how the characters will be and we can't compete with that.

"I tell them we can give you the experience of being there and with then staging we try and emulate the novel's suggestion.

"We have a scene with a drawing room but we don't have the walls we rely on lighting and props.

"With the tunnels we try and create the feeling of being under the soil in no man's land.

"But with the novel there are people who have read it and love it and with that comes expectation.

"On the first day of rehearsals in 2013 we acknowledged that and then had to forget it because you can't please everyone.

"You have to trust that Sebastian's novel interpreted through Rachel [Wagstaff]'s script and my direction will be of interest.

"You have to direct to your taste because if you try and pander too much to expectation you will fail."

Performances are at 7.30pm with 2pm matinees on Thursday and Saturday.

Tickets are available by calling 01432 340555 or online at courtyard.org.uk.