Till the Boys Come Home

Ever since the signing of the Armistice in 1918, theatre has played an important part in reflecting the experience of the ‘war to end all wars’. But on the Home Front, what role did those involved with British theatre play during those tumultuous four years and three months?Till the Boys Come Home salutes British theatre in wartime, when theatres became powerful generators for escapism, for stirring patriotism, for sharing experiences of loss and joy – and for raising vast amounts of charity money. It brings to life a Britain where theatre-going peaked in popularity, yet became full of the curious contradictions bred by war.Richly illustrated with original programmes, posters and ephemera, author and critic Roger Foss reveals a theatrical powerhouse, where all sections of the profession – from grand Shakespearian knights to lowly concert party artistes – were doing their bit, both at home and on the front line.

Inca de la semnarea armistitiului in 1918, teatrul a jucat un rol important in reflectarea experientei „razboiului pentru a pune capat tuturor razboaielor”. Dar, pe frontul de acasa, ce rol au jucat cei implicati in teatrul britanic in acei tumultuosi patru ani si trei luni? de pierdere si bucurie - si pentru strangerea unor sume mari de bani pentru caritate.