Oh What a Lovely War: style

Theatrical Styles in “Oh What a Lovely War”

Epic Theatre

“Oh What a Lovely War” is predominantly an example of Epic Theatre, popularised by Bertolt Brecht.
The fourth wall is broken often throughout the play to maintain a critical engagement with the audience.
The play employs a narrator, another Epic Theatre convention, to outline events and criticise the armed conflict.
The montage technique, another characteristic of this form, is used to juxtapose scenes of different tones, continuously reminding the audience about the harsh realities of warfare.

Vaudeville

Elements of vaudeville, an early form of popular theatrical entertainment, are incorporated into “Oh What a Lovely War”.
Incorporation of multimedia, including projections of war statistics, creates a vaudevillian spectacle.
The performers utilise multiplicity of roles, a common element of vaudeville, to represent various characters such as soldiers, officers, and even women.

Satirical Elements

The play utilises satire to critically comment on the absurd and horrific realities of war.
It employs satirical dialogue, highlighting the incompetence and cold-hearted attitude of the military and political leaders.
Through its biting social and political satire, “Oh What a Lovely War” exposes and criticises the devastating human impact of war and the manipulative practices of those in power.

Musical Theatre

“Oh What a Lovely War” incorporates the form of musical theatre, employing both music and song to advance the story and develop its themes.
The music used is largely contemporary to the war, popular tunes with changed lyrics that expose the stark contrast between the public perception and the brutal realities.
The pierrot troupe provides musical interludes and commentary, further delineating the drastic gap between wartime propaganda and the horrible truth on the frontline.

Pantomime & Burlesque

The play also employs forms such as pantomime and burlesque to lighten some scenes and further highlight the war’s absurdity.
Characters and stories are often exaggerated and comedic, keeping the audience engaged while still conveying the play’s overall message.
Through pantomime and burlesque, “Oh What a Lovely War” effectively employs humour to deal with the heavy subject matter, making its themes more accessible and relatable.

Overall, “Oh What a Lovely War” exhibits a variety of theatrical styles and techniques that contribute to its thought-provoking and sobering examination of the brutalities and absurdities of war. These different elements help to engage the audience and underline the devastating consequences of armed conflict.