Oh What a Lovely War: historical context

Oh What a Lovely War: historical context

Background Information

  • “Oh What a Lovely War” is a satirical musical about World War I, first performed on stage by Theatre Workshop in 1963. The play provides a critical depiction of the war’s events from a British perspective.
  • The play was devised by Joan Littlewood and her company. Littlewood was a pioneering figure in British theatre, known for her commitment to political and social engagement in drama.

Time of Inception

  • This play was developed at a time when there was significant re-evaluation of the World War I in British society. In the early 1960s, there was a move away from the portrayal of the ‘Great War’ as a glorious conflict and towards a view of it as a futile and horrific human tragedy.
  • The 1960s was also characterised by significant social and political change in Britain, and there were widespread anti-war sentiments due to the ongoing Cold War and conflicts like the Vietnam War.

Impact of World War I

  • World War I, fought from 1914 to 1918, had a massive impact on Europe, leading to the deaths of millions and significant social and political upheaval. The war was marked by trench warfare and the use of new, more destructive weapons which resulted in unprecedented loss of life.
  • “Oh What a Lovely War” seeks to contest the myths of the war, highlighting the ineptitude of the military leadership and the horrendous conditions faced by the ordinary soldiers.
  • This play also sheds light on the Class divide during World War I. The upper class is depicted to be profiting from the war while common soldiers suffer.

Influence from Bertolt Brecht

  • Brechtian techniques influence the style and structure of “Oh What a Lovely War”. Brecht’s theory of ‘Epic Theatre’ encourages audiences to think critically about the events depicted on stage, rather than simply becoming emotionally immersed.
  • The use of songs, placards, direct address to the audience, and the episodic structure are all hallmarks of Brecht’s dramatic approach, and they contribute heavily to this play’s ability to engage audiences intellectually and emotionally in the subject matter.