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Oh, What a Lovely War! A Modern Play About the Horrors of War

Chris Coleman

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Oh, What a Lovely War! is a modern play that tells the story of the First World War from the perspective of the soldiers who fought in it. The play was written by Joan Littlewood and premiered in 1963. It has since been performed around the world and has become a classic of anti-war theater.

Oh What A Lovely War (Modern Plays)

by Geraint D'Arcy

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	690 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	114 pages

The play is set in a music hall and uses songs, sketches, and dance to tell the story of the war. The songs are mostly popular songs from the period, and they are used to create a sense of nostalgia and to show the contrast between the carefree days before the war and the horrors of the trenches.

The play is a powerful indictment of war, and it shows the devastating impact that it has on the lives of those who are caught up in it. The soldiers in the play are shown to be ordinary men who are forced to fight in a war that they do not understand. They are shown to be victims of the war, and they are shown to suffer greatly from the physical and psychological effects of the war.

Oh, What a Lovely War! is a powerful and moving play that is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the horrors of war. The play is a reminder of the importance of peace, and it is a call to action for us to work to prevent future wars.

The Characters

The characters in Oh, What a Lovely War! are all based on real people who fought in the First World War. The play follows the characters from the outbreak of the war to the end of the war. The characters include:

Private Albert Ball, a young man who is excited to go to war
Private Billy Bishop, a Canadian pilot who becomes a war hero
Private Siegfried Sassoon, a poet who is disillusioned with the war
Private Wilfred Owen, a poet who is killed in the war
Private Robert Graves, a poet who is wounded in the war

The Songs

The songs in Oh, What a Lovely War! are mostly popular songs from the period. The songs are used to create a sense of nostalgia and to show the contrast between the carefree days before the war and the horrors of the trenches.

Some of the songs in the play include:

"Oh, What a Lovely War!"
"Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag"
"It's a Long Way to Tipperary"
"Over There"
"All Quiet on the Western Front"

The Impact of the Play

Oh, What a Lovely War! has been a critical and commercial success. The play has been performed around the world and has been translated into many languages. The play has also been adapted into a film and a television series.

Oh, What a Lovely War! is a powerful and moving play that has had a significant impact on audiences around the world. The play is a reminder of the importance of peace, and it is a call to action for us to work to prevent future wars.

Oh What A Lovely War (Modern Plays)

by Geraint D'Arcy

4.4 out of 5