Oh What a Lovely War: cultural context

Oh What a Lovely War: cultural context

Cultural Context - Overview

  • “Oh What a Lovely War” was developed by Theatre Workshop, under the direction of Joan Littlewood, and first performed in 1963.
  • It was created during a time of significant political and social change in Great Britain, which influenced its form and content.

Post-World War II Britain

  • The play was written two decades after World War II. Memories and consequences of the wars were still acutely felt in the British society.
  • The shift from post-war austerity to the liberalisation of the 1960s is evident within the play’s critical view of warfare and the establishment.

Nuclear Fear and Anti-War Sentiment

  • During the 1960s, the fear of nuclear war was widespread due to the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union.
  • In the UK, and worldwide, there was a growing anti-war sentiment. “Oh What a Lovely War” reflects this sentiment by revisiting World War I in a critical, satirical manner.

British Working Class

  • The play portrays the experiences of the common British working-class soldiers, reflecting Joan Littlewood’s interest in giving voice to the working class and her socialist beliefs.
  • The social and economic cost of war, borne mostly by the working class, is brought into focus via statistical projections and depictions of soldiers’ experiences.

British Music Hall Tradition

  • “Oh What a Lovely War” draws heavily from the British Music Hall tradition. Much of the post-World War I popular music incorporated in the play would have been familiar to contemporary audiences.
  • The combination of political satire, music, wit, and accessibility inherent in Music Hall form is echoed in “Oh What a Lovely War’s” style and approach.

Critique of Authority

  • The play uses satire to criticise the military command and the way they managed World War I.
  • It questions narratives of nationalistic heroism, highlighting the inflated casualty rates and drawing attention to the stories that are usually not told in traditional histories or commemorations.

Theatre’s Role in Society

  • “Oh What a Lovely War” signifies a shift in how theatre was viewed - from pure entertainment to a platform for social critique and commentary.
  • The play and its creators were part of the impetus of British theatre turning inwards, reflecting on the nation’s history, values, and role in global events.