One hundred years after the tragedy at Beaumont Hamel, the tributes keep rolling in, and the latest one is bringing quite the unusual approach — a night of dinner theatre at the Royal Newfoundland Regiment's 1914 headquarters

Where Once They Stood is a haunting musical ode to Beaumont Hamel, that takes the audience all the way back to where the regiment began its journey to the First World War at the Church Lads' Bridage (CLB) Armoury in St. John's.

It's being staged by Spirit of Newfoundland through a partnership with the CLB Armoury and the provincial government.

On Tuesday, a preview was put off ahead of the play's opening next week.

Those who get tickets will hear musical numbers, a soundtrack from the CLB Regimental Band and be served a three-course catered meal.

The play begins at the famous arches outside of the Armoury, where the first 500 soldiers who volunteered for the First World War marched.

An emotional play

Peter Halley says acting in the play is a great opportunity to recreate history. (Gary Locke/CBC)

Actor Peter Halley said it's an honour to pay tribute to the province's past.

"This really was daunting when we started because I thought, history's not my thing, but to take the history and put it into our words and create these characters that are so real was just fabulous fun," he said.

"Some of the scenes are really hard to get through because they're just really emotional."

Halley said the play really made him think about the sacrifices of those who left N.L. to enter the war.

"Everything makes you proud of your heritage and it just wells up such compassion for what the people went through here," he said.

The play runs on March 16 and 17.

Tickets are available now at the CLB Armoury box office.