PLAYWRIGHT Patrick Jones is set to premier his new production in Gwent before taking it on to London's West End.

Tredegar-born Patrick, brother of the Manic Street Preachers' Nicky Wire, will show his play for the first time at the Blackwood Miners' Institute on September 8.

The play, entitled The War is Dead Long Live the War, also includes original music composed by his brother's bandmate, James Dean Bradfield.

"I wanted the evening to be about more than the play itself," said Patrick, whose previous work includes the hit Everything Must Go. "It will include music, speakers from organisations such as the Stop the War Coalition, and stalls.

"And Karl Francis (the director of films such as Streetlife) has agreed to speak before our performance at Blackwood."

The play is set in no man's land, as two men reflect on what war and violence has brought to their lives.

It is being staged by Sorted Productions, a London-based company who promote the work of new writers from Wales.

"We are very much rolling up our sleeves to get this up and running," said Patrick. "But it's giving the whole thing a very spontaneous and exciting feel."

The War is Dead Long Live the War will be showing at the Blackwood Miners' Institute on September 8 at 7.30pm.