The Theatre of War

This book surveys more than 200 plays about the First World War that were written, published and/or performed in Britain and Ireland between 1909 and 1998.

The Theatre of War surveys more than two hundred plays about the First World War written, published and/or performed in Britain and Ireland between 1909 and 1998. Collectively, these plays constitute an important aspect of British and Irish literary, social and cultural history. They are discussed from five major perspectives: subject matter, technique, attitude, reception and evaluation. The resulting complex image is a significant contribution to the understanding of the First World War as a watershed in international history.

HEINZ KOSOK is Professor Emeritus of English and American Literature at the University of Wuppertal, Germany, and has previously held professorial appointments at the universities of Marburg and Stuttgart. He has acted as President of the International Association for the Study of Irish Literatures, as well as Chairman of the German Association of University Teachers of English. He has published widely on English, American and Irish literature, especially in the field of Twentieth-century drama.

Acknowledgments * Introduction * Theatres of War: Aspects of Subject Matter * Staging the War: Aspects of Presentation * Engaging Intellect or Emotions: Aspects of Attitude * Popular Failures and Successes: Aspects of Reception * ‘Good’ versus ‘Bad’ War Plays: Aspects of Evaluation * British and Irish Plays about the First World War: A Checklist * Notes * Index