Bringing Sebastian Faulks beautiful and much loved World War One novel Birdsong to the stage was always going to be a challenge.
With over five million copies sold since it was first published 20 years ago,  the book is revered as a modern classic and is taught on the A level syllabus in schools.
Widely known to be Faulks own personal favourite, there’s long been talk of a feature film adaptation of the poignant love story, played out against the horrors of ‘The Great War.’
But it’s equally well known he was less than impressed with the BBC’s 2012 version for television.
So he paid playwright Rachel Wagstaff and the play’s director Alistair Watley, the highest compliment by joining them for the launch of its WW1 Centenary regional tour, which comes to Tunbridge Wells later this month.
“I don’t really regard the play as being in any sense a rival to the book - it’s a completely different event,” said Faulks at the launch in the National War Museum.
“Of course you do need to trust the people involved and I do trust Rachel Wagstaff because she clearly has read the book many times and she understands the characters and the themes behind it. And I trust Alistair because I have seen his work.”
Part of a trilogy of wartime stories, Birdsong ‘s central character is young Englishman Stephen Wraysford (played by George Banks in the play), who embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with beautiful but married Isabelle Azaire (played by Carolin Stoltz), in pre-war northern France. 
After war breaks out, Stephen is sent back to France where he leads his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme to face death on a daily basis in sprawling tunnels 60 feet under the German trenches. 
“WW1 forced people to rethink what human beings really are... who we are, how we function and what’s the matter with us,” explained Faulks.
“I wouldn’t want people to read or see Birdsong and think they understood the history behind the war.  But obviously in this centenary year, if people return to the novel and take something from it, I would be thrilled. Because part of my desire to write it was to increase understanding and reach out a hand to a generation I feel had not been fully understood.”
Writer Rachel Wagstaff, who adapted the book for the stage,  also believes in the importance of making WW1 relevant to today’s generation and has been heartened to see whole families – grandparents, parents and teenagers   - going to the play and discussing the themes in the interval.
“I think it is so important that we remember... it only happened a couple of generations ago, so it could be us who were involved,” she told me.                                                     
However when Rachel first contacted Sebastian Faulks about an adaptation he thought she was “bonkers.”  He thought it would be too difficult to translate the scope of the novel to a stage play.
“I was very well aware of all the challenges underlying the production,” said Rachel, 33, who is currently working on further adaptations of Sebatian Faulks’ novels.
““I also felt a lot of responsibility towards a novel that people love so much. But if we can bring this amazing story to a new audience that would be phenomenal.”
Rose Bruford graduate George Banks, 26, who plays Stephen on stage, is equally passionate about the themes of the play.
“I think this adaptation is very special – it keeps the essence, the heart of the book, but it’s also wonderful theatrically – it’s a brilliant story,” said George.
“I know everyone has their own idea of Stephen and Isabelle and Firebrace. So we hope people will enjoy it and leave talking about it and about the war the people involved.”
But for those who loved the novel and fear the play might spoil their view of it, Sebastian Faulks has a few words.
“This will be an even better theatrical experience that last year’s production, which was successful with theatre audiences and with the newspapers,” he said.
“But (for those who love it) the book is always there – the book is not going to go away.”
Birdsong is at The Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells from February 24 to March 1.  Visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk  to book or call the Box Office on 01892 530613