WORLD War One will meet tag-team wrestling at the Wyvern Theatre this week during a show with an alternative take on the conflict.

But the seemingly bizarre coupling will come as no surprise to fans of Horrible Histories’ retelling of such events.

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain, the Birmingham Stage Company’s two-hour canter through the funniest, weirdest and most gruesome parts of the last 2,000 years of British history which led to the First World War, opened last night.

Being a Horrible Histories take on real events, the defining episode is reinvented as an American-style tag team match – featuring Germany and its Central Powers Gang versus Britain and its Allies and complete with countries giving each other smack-downs, body-slams and headlocks.

The tag team played by Martin Atkinson, for Great Britain, Laura Dalgleish for Germany Gary Wilson as Russia is expected to help young audiences understand the complicated political manoeuvring of the summer of 1914 which led to the devastating war exactly 100 years ago.

Derek Aldridge, theatre director, said: “Birmingham Stage Company regularly visit the Wyvern Theatre to share the horribly gruesome history of Britain with Swindon audiences.

“Barmy Britain, their latest production, is an excellent opportunity for young people to take their first steps into the theatre and for seasoned youngsters alike.

“I hope it will inspire many to return to the Wyvern Theatre to watch live performances again and again.”

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain will run at the Wyvern until Saturday.

To book visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524 481.