The RSC is calling on the public to share family stories about the First World War ready for its forthcoming production of The Christmas Truce.

An unusual festive drama, it is inspired by the real events of 1914 when soldiers along the Western Front left their trenches on Christmas Eve and met their enemies in No Man’s Land to exchange gifts and play football.

Part of the 2014 Centenary of The Great War, the play is being written by Phil Porter and will open at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon in November.

It will draw on true stories of soldiers in the Warwickshire Regiment and in preparation the families of soldiers and people involved in the conflict are invited to a drop-in event where they can share their memories. They are also being encouraged to bring along memorabilia in the form of photos or letters.

It is being held on March 8 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 10am-3pm.

Representatives from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Warwickshire) and a historian who specialises in helping people discover their family history, as well as computers with relevant online resources, will all be available on the day.

The Christmas Truce’s director, Erica Whyman, said: “Phil is currently in the middle of writing the play. It’s a story that is deeply rooted in local history, so we’d both really like to hear from people from the area who have something to tell us about their family’s connection with The Great War and The Warwickshire Regiment.

“We can’t promise that these stories will make their way into the play, but they will certainly help us in shaping it.”