Jessie Cumming is haunted by a theatrical satire on the First World War.
Theatre Royal Stratford East has revived Oh What A Lovely War! to mark the half-century since the original production and the hundredth anniversary of the First World War.
Devised at Stratford in 1963 by Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop, Oh What A Lovely War! is a musical satire on the misconduct of war by chateau generals who stayed away from the trenches and cared little for the plight of ordinary fighting men – the Tommies who died in their millions. It uses the jolly style of an end-of-the-pier show to highlight the harsh reality of war.
Directed by Terry Johnson, the revival is every bit as humorous as the original. Amidst the satire, it also offers tear-jerking insight into the comradeship and courage displayed by those ‘lions led by donkeys.’
Even the youngest hearts will find themselves singing along to the early 20th century songs, creating a goose pimple effect when we recall that the same songs were sung a hundred years ago by soldiers who lived and died in the trenches.
Johnson has changed the design of the show, which is splendidly flamboyant. There are big names to match: Caroline Quentin delivers the recruiting sergeant’s song, ‘I’ll make a man of you’, relishing the innuendo; Shaun Prendergast doubles as drill sergeant and master of ceremonies.
A stand out moment is the scene on Christmas Day 1914, when a German soldier sings ‘Silent Night’ while the Brits respond with ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, before an exchange of gifts.
The restoration of Oh What A Lovely War! gives a new generation the chance to learn about war and experience a ground-breaking theatrical work.
The original Theatre Workshop production, itself based on a radio play by Charles Chilton, was turned into a film by Richard Attenborough, released in 1969.
Oh What A Lovely War! continues at the Theatre Royal, Gerry Raffles Square, until 15th March. Full price tickets costs £35.