The Original Theatre Company presents Birdsong, York Theatre Royal, March 24 to 29

His three million-selling novel is touring in a fourth stage version by Rachel Wagstaff that will visit York Theatre Royal from March 24 to 29 in a production by The Original Theatre Company that marks the Great War’s 100th anniversary.

“It was back in 2006 when I first approached Sebastian for permission to write a stage adaptation of Birdsong,” says Rachel. “I wrote a first draft and then sent it to him and after some discussion, he gave me the nod.

“It had struck me when I’d first read the book how well it could take to the theatre - how vividly the tunnelling scenes and the intensity of the relationships could be portrayed.

I realised that it would be difficult to pull off, but felt that if we could find a way of doing it, it would be powerful.”

Rachel’s fascination with the First World War drew her to Faulks’s story of love and courage that begins in pre-war France, where young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside-down. As war breaks out, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme.

“Like Sebastian, I first came across the subject at school,” she says. “I learnt the facts about it in history and then studied the poetry in English class. What amazed me was the scale of the suffering and the futility of it all. When I read Birdsong, it made me understand what it was like to be an individual in these circumstances. The story of the First World War is a story we must never forget.”

Sebastian Faulks recalls his reaction to Wagstaff’s initial approach as being one of puzzlement. “I wondered why you’d want to turn one thing which had proved to be perfectly satisfactory as a novel into something else,” he says.

“I was puzzled and I was also sceptical. Birdsong is quite a novelistic novel: it draws upon all the techniques of fiction.

But Rachel argued her case very persuasively because she could see where it could be made to work. So I said okay.

“When I had a look at the first draft, I saw that Rachel had understood the book and I felt that there was potential in what she’d done.”

Birdsong, the play, progressed from a workshop and a reading at the Old Vic with Tom Hiddleston as Stephen to Sir Trevor Nunn’s somewhat lengthy production at the Comedy Theatre.

“The first preview lasted four hours, but don’t worry. I revised the script for the touring productionand it’s only about half the length now,” says Rachel, who re-worked the structure too. “In the West End production, the story was told in chronological order: now it moves backwards and forwards in time and space.

“The new version seems to flow much more smoothly, with memories conjured as and when Stephen is haunted by his past.”

Sebastian has noted the play’s progress through its various versions.

“The book and the play remain very different and the further the play has gone verbally from the book, the more effective it has become,” he says.

“Some of the West End reviews have said that the play was too reliant on phrases and sentences from the book and the play has to exist on its own terms. I think they had a point and it does now.”

Looking back to why and when he wrote Birdsong, Sebastian says: “I sensed that this was the moment to do it 20 years ago.

“I felt I was really too young but that I also had the necessary youthful bravura to pull it off. I could easily have fallen flat on my face and perhaps ten years later, I wouldn’t even have taken it on.

“But at that time the last survivors of the First World War were still with us. So I was able to meet them and talk to them and, in a sense, to get their blessing – to have the book validated, in some way.”

Sebastian believes the Great War’s 100th anniversary may prompt a reassessment of its significance. “Over the next four years, we will revisit the First World War and rethink it,” he says.

“The big thing about those four years is how it changed our view of the nature of who we are. I’d argue that the subsequent turmoil of the 20th century prevented us from digesting the implications of what the Great War signified and perhaps now we have a chance to do that.”

Rachel acknowledges the importance of remembering and honouring those who fought. “That’s why I wanted to turn this profound novel into a play.”

There’s something about watching living, breathing human beings struggling and loving, playing live music and telling jokes, in front of you,” she says. “Yes, it’s a fictional story we are bringing to life, but it represents so many men and boys who gave their lives for us.”

The Original Theatre Company presents Birdsong at York Theatre Royal, March 24 to 29, at 7.30pm plus 2pm, Thursday and 2.30pm, Saturday. 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk