The aim of the spectacular sound-and-light display Poppy Field is to create public artworks in unexpected places.

Created by renowned artist Peter Walker and featuring the voice of the Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, it is is coming to Christ Church as part of a season of events there to mark the centenary of the Armistice.

Poppy Field is a unique mix of projection, music and words, the result of his collaboration with composer and sound artist David Harper, whose compositions are often featured in BBC and Channel 4 TV productions.

First shown in Lichfield Cathedral in 2016 when it attracted national acclaim, it is now our turn to contemplate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in a unique and memorable way.

Those who attend the free experience by timed tickets will walk through a virtual ‘field of poppies’ as the cathedral is bathed in light and sound, accompanied by war poetry, free of charge by timed ticket, from 7.30- 9.30pm.

The Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy, said: “The cathedral is always an awe-inspiring place, and will be all the more so when visitors encounter its beauty afresh, filled with the light and sound of Peter Walker’s remarkable art,” he said. “I am confident that these three evenings will be profoundly moving and quite unforgettable for all who experience them.”

Then, theatre company Antic Disposition brings its critically acclaimed adaptation of Henry V to the cathedral. Set between 1415 and 1915, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s epic play is combined with songs inspired by the poetry of AE Housman in a powerful tribute to the young soldiers caught up in conflicts five centuries apart.

It also features an arrangement of Housman’s The Lads in their Hundreds by George Butterworth, a young English composer who was himself killed in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Set in a French military hospital in 1915 – 500 years after the Battle of Agincourt – Antic Disposition’s reimagining follows two groups of wounded French and British soldiers as they raise their spirits by staging their own production of Henry V.

Leading a company of actors from both sides of the Channel, this production celebrates the rich and often turbulent historical relationship between England and France, from the Hundred Years War to the Entente Cordiale.

Actor Nathan Hamilton, who plays Henry, said: “Every young actor embarking on his career hopes that he might be lucky enough to portray the one special character that speaks to him louder than any other.

“The role of Henry V is that for me. I am very excited for the journey that awaits us on this special project.”

Directors Ben Horslen and John Risebero comment: “Over the last four years this production has been a constant feature in our lives.

“And as the centenary of the Great War comes to a close, it feels fitting that we revive it once more to mark the end of the conflict.

“Henry V has been a very special project, not least the experience of working with the amazing band of brothers – and sisters – who have joined us on the journey. “

Following hard on its heels, on November 13-23, there will be a powerful photographic exhibition in the cathedral called They Also Served, which reflects on the experiences of African and Caribbean servicemen in the First World War.

It recognises the assistance and service of over two million Africans and 16,000 people from the Caribbean, not to mention the countless Black Britons who joined British regiments and made a significant contribution to the British army in terms of manpower and resources.

Many of them lost their lives and were buried where they fell. Of those who survived, those who returned to their homes then had to pick up the threads of their lives again.

However, many chose to keep their war experiences to themselves, meaning all too often even their own families remained unaware of their contribution to the Great War.

For many years, the contributions of such servicemen was unexplored, and in many cases overlooked and forgotten.

Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund-financed project run by Churches Together in England, however, the truth has been uncovered and stories and photographs gathered of these soldiers in action.

The result is a powerful and memorable photographic exhibition, which will be on display in Christ Church Cathedral from November 13-23.

There will be also a lecture by Linda Ali on the project at 7pm on Friday November 15 in the cathedral.

Poppy Field, October 11-13. ticketsoxford.com or 01865 305305 at Christ Church, Oxford

Henry V, November 8-10. henry-v-co.uk or

0333 666 3366