Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park Arts Centre presents
The 60th anniversary tour of Joan Littlewood's Musical Entertainment
OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR
by Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton, Gerry Raffles and members of the Original Cast
WED 13 - SAT 16 FEB 2024
Roll up, Roll up! And take your seat for the ever-popular ‘War Game’!
A cornerstone of modern musical theatre and one of the very greatest stage satires, Oh What A Lovely War is an extraordinary theatrical journey bringing to life the folly, farce and tragedy of the First World War.
Wildly satirical, visually stunning and deeply moving, it’s the musical that revolutionised modern theatre; an exhilarating, no-holds-barred assault on the military incompetence and inconceivable disregard for human life the First World War has come to represent.
Brimming with timeless songs, razor-sharp satire and high jinks, Oh What A Lovely War is a hilarious, heart-breaking snapshot of life for those caught in the crossfire of conflict, a unanimous voice from the trenches and a timely warning from the theatre of war itself. Now, more than ever, it holds a mirror up to the world and speaks to us all.
“One of the most innovative, audacious companies working in contemporary English theatre”
- The Stage
Reviews of Blackeyed Theatre’s 2011 production of Oh What A Lovely War:
“A splendid revival that does the original production proud”
- Brian Murphy, from the cast of the original 1963 production of Oh What A Lovely War
“Magnificent...Extraordinary...As haunting as it is harrowing...Astonishing power... Any assumption that Oh! What a Lovely War is a period piece is shot to shrapnel. Forty years on, we need Littlewood’s vision more than ever. Blackeyed Theatre restore it to us with astonishing power. Catch it if you can”
- The Stage
“Fast, energetic and immaculately choreographed. Joan Littlewood would have been delighted by this production... A remarkable evening”
- Hexham Courant
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Nicky Allpress
Musical Director Ellie Verkerk
Movement Director Adam Haigh