Time travel, mystery, romance, music, comedy, drama – and free mulled wine – are the ingredients for this evening’s performance of Dark Christmas at the Royal British Legion in West Jesmond.

Produced by Mystery Hour Presents, Dark Christmas is a play with a World War One centenary theme and a ghost in its Christmas Carol-influenced story. The play delineates varied themes of war, tragedy, love and loss with the help of strobe effects.

All profits from the play are being donated to the Legion and the actors have volunteered their time and talents. “It’s a cleverly written play that has a much bigger potential in the future,” said Hildy Harland, one of the actors taking part. Another actor, Anna Wraith, added: “The audience will be swept away by this dark comedy that will compel them to laugh and cry.”

It’s a first play by director Julian Kilburn, a doctor who lives in Jesmond. “If people don’t like the play, I will personally return their money,” he told JesmondLocal.

Readers of JesmondLocal can receive a discount of £5 by using the promotional code “JESLOCAL” via the website  www.ticketsource.co.uk/darkchristmas

The Dark Christmas cast