Subject
World War, 1914-1918 -- Drama Books
Best books
Bernard Shaw
Heartbreak House
"Heartbreak House" by Bernard Shaw is a play written during the First World War and published in 1919. Set in a ship-shaped house, the work brings together an eccentric inventor, his self-absorbed daughters, and their guests for a disastrous dinner party. As romantic entanglements collide with political irresponsibility, Shaw depicts a society adrift—cultured yet rudderless, detached from reality as war literally drops from the sky. This darkly comic fantasia reflects Shaw's disillusionment with Britain, contrasting elegant indifference against aggressive philistinism in a nation heading toward catastrophe.
Bernard Shaw
Heartbreak House
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbreak_House
Bernard Shaw
Annajanska, the Bolshevik Empress
"Annajanska, the Bolshevik Empress" by Bernard Shaw is a one-act play written in 1917. Set in an imaginary country fresh from revolution, the play centers on a clash between a loyal general hoping to restore the old regime and the Grand Duchess Annajanska, the ruler's daughter who once ran away to join the circus. Now the Duchess has escaped captivity and mysteriously eloped with an officer whose identity and revolutionary plans remain unknown—until a dramatic revelation changes everything.
Winston Churchill
Dr. Jonathan
"Dr. Jonathan" by Winston Churchill is a play in three acts written during the tumultuous period of the First World War. It explores themes of class struggle, economic freedom, and human rights, particularly in the context of the labor issues exacerbated by the war. The central characters include George Pindar, the son of a factory owner, and Dr. Jonathan Pindar, his cousin, who has returned to their New England hometown to grapple with the implications of self-determination and labor rights amidst societal change. The opening of the play sets the stage in the library of Asher Pindar’s home, where father and son engage in a conversation about the impending war and the state of labor relations. As George prepares to leave for the front, tensions arise over the management of the family business and the dissatisfaction among workers, particularly regarding union recognition. The arrival of Dr. Jonathan, a new character with a scientific background, introduces a different perspective on the conflict, emphasizing the importance of economic democracy in achieving true political freedom. Through witty dialogue and the personal dilemmas faced by the characters, the opening portion lays down the foundation for exploring the larger social issues at play during this critical moment in history.
J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie
Echoes of the War
"Echoes of the War" by J. M. Barrie is a fictional work written during the late 1910s, around the time of World War I. The narrative centers around the lives of working-class women, particularly an elderly charwoman named Mrs. Dowey, and her interactions with her friends as they discuss the war and the challenges faced at home. Through humor and poignant moments, the book explores themes of resilience, community, and the impact of war on everyday life. The opening of "Echoes of the War" introduces us to a lively tea party hosted by Mrs. Dowey, a charming character who is both a charwoman and a notorious criminal. Alongside her friends, Mrs. Twymley and Mrs. Mickleham, they engage in spirited discussions about the war and their sons serving at the front. A stranger arrives, Mr. Willings, bearing news that Mrs. Dowey's son, Kenneth, has returned on leave, sparking a mix of excitement and anxiety within her. This setup not only highlights the camaraderie among women in wartime but also hints at Mrs. Dowey's hidden past, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of identity and familial connections as the plot unfolds.
J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie
The old lady shows her medals
"The Old Lady Shows Her Medals" by J. M. Barrie is a play written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Mrs. Dowey, a charming old lady who is a character of unexpected complexity, navigating the trials of life during wartime in London. Along with her friends, the play weaves humor, community, and the poignant reality of conflict as they discuss their sons at the front while hiding a secret about one of their relationships. At the start of the play, we meet Mrs. Dowey and her friends in a casual tea gathering, filled with light-hearted banter and camaraderie amidst the backdrop of the war. The atmosphere is lively as they share tales of their sons fighting overseas, showcasing their resilience and friendship. However, the crux of Mrs. Dowey's story lies in her secret: while she pretends to be a proud mother receiving letters from her son, she has created an imaginary son, Kenneth, to cope with the isolation and stigma of not having anyone to send to war. The opening sets the tone for a blend of humor and tension, inviting the audience to explore themes of loneliness, deception, and the push for belonging during difficult times.
Annie Vivanti
L'invasore: dramma in tre atti
"L'invasore: dramma in tre atti" by Annie Vivanti is a dramatic work likely written in the early 20th century. The play explores the themes of war and its impact on personal lives, focusing on characters drawn together in a household during times of conflict. The main character, Luisa Brandes, along with her family, faces the intrusion of a foreign enemy, highlighting the tension between domestic life and the encroaching horrors of war. The opening of the play sets a somber tone, introducing the Brandes family in their home while tensions of impending war loom. Luisa is portrayed as a troubled mother, grappling with the absence of her husband, who has gone off to war, while her daughter Mirella tries to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. As the act progresses, the arrival of Florian Audet, a cavalry officer, introduces a mix of personal connection and foreboding, as he must navigate the harsh realities that surround them, foreshadowing the struggles they will face as the enemy approaches their village. The blend of personal relationships with the central theme of invasion starkly illustrates the play's exploration of innocence colliding with the brutal realities of war.
J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie
A kiss for Cinderella: A comedy
"A Kiss for Cinderella: A Comedy" by J. M. Barrie is a play first produced in 1916. During World War I London, a young charwoman named Jane Thing cares for refugee orphans while dreaming of attending a royal ball like Cinderella. When a suspicious policeman investigates her activities, he discovers her innocent devotion to the fairy tale. The story blends wartime hardship with fantasy as Jane's dreams and reality intertwine, leading to an unexpected romance and revelations about identity and social class.
Leonid Andreyev
The Sorrows of Belgium: A Play in Six Scenes
"The Sorrows of Belgium: A Play in Six Scenes" by Leonid Andreyev is a dramatic work written in the early 20th century. This play captures the tragic circumstances of the Belgian people during World War I, particularly through the lens of a prominent Belgian author, Emil Grelieu, and his family. It addresses themes of suffering, resistance, and the moral complexities posed by war, reflecting Andreyev’s deep empathy for oppressed nations. The opening of the play sets a serene scene in Grelieu's garden as the war begins to encroach upon their lives. Characters like François, the deaf gardener, and Maurice, Grelieu's son, express a mix of alarm and disbelief as they come to terms with the reality of the German invasion. Grelieu himself appears anxious, consumed with conflict about his responsibilities and the implications of war. As the sounds of war grow nearer, the family's peaceful existence shatters, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of their emotional and moral dilemmas as they face the impending chaos. The stark contrast between the tranquil garden and the impending violence underscores the play's themes of disruption and sorrow.
Marion Craig Wentworth
War Brides: A Play in One Act
"War Brides: A Play in One Act" by Marion Craig Wentworth is a dramatic play written in the early 20th century, specifically around the time of World War I. This one-act play explores the emotional and social implications of war on women, particularly focusing on the concept of "war brides," women who marry soldiers as an act of patriotism. The narrative unfolds in a war-ridden country, reflecting the tension and sacrifices made during this tumultuous period. The play centers on Amelia, a young woman faced with the societal pressures to marry a soldier, Hans Hoffman, while grappling with her desire to serve as a nurse at the front. Her sister, Hedwig, vehemently opposes the idea of becoming a "war bride" and voices her strong objections against the war's brutalities. The characters navigate their fears and hopes as they confront the loss of family members, the expectations placed upon them by society, and the reality of war's consequences. Hedwig's ultimate tragic decision highlights the struggle between duty to one’s country and the fundamental desire for love, peace, and self-determination, culminating in a powerful statement on the feminine experience during wartime.
Catherine T. (Catherine Turner) Bryce
To arms for liberty: A pageant of the war for schools and societies
"To Arms for Liberty: A Pageant of the War for Schools and Societies" by Catherine T. Bryce is a historical play written during the early 20th century, specifically in the context of World War I. This unique work is intended for performance in educational settings such as grammar schools, making it both an artistic expression and a tool for teaching about the war. The pageant highlights the themes of liberty, patriotism, and the unity among nations in the fight against oppression, reflecting the sentiments of various countries involved in the war, particularly the Allies." The structure of the book is designed around a series of dramatic scenes interspersed with musical performances, featuring characters representing different nations, including Belgium, France, Britain, and America, among others. The narrative begins with Belgium lamenting her plight and is followed by the rallying voices of various nations banding together to confront tyranny. Each character expresses their national pride and commitment to freedom, culminating in the entry of America, symbolizing hope and strength. The performance culminates in an anthem of unity and resolve, using stirring choruses and patriotic pieces that evoke the spirit of the times, emphasizing the collective struggle for liberty against the backdrop of World War I. Overall, the pageant serves not only as a dramatic retelling of the war effort but also as an educational tool that fosters a sense of shared purpose and moral duty among its young audiences.
Maurice Maeterlinck
The Burgomaster of Stilemonde: A Play in Three Acts
"The Burgomaster of Stilemonde: A Play in Three Acts" by Maurice Maeterlinck is a dramatic play written during the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the story revolves around the moral dilemmas faced by a burgomaster of a small Belgian town as German soldiers invade. The central theme touches on the conflict between duty and survival, as characters navigate personal and national loyalties within the chaos of war. The play unfolds in three acts, illustrating the intense emotional struggle of Cyrille Van Belle, the burgomaster, who is faced with the impending execution of an innocent man in order to satisfy the occupying German forces following the murder of a lieutenant. As pressure mounts, he must grapple with the consequences of his decisions for his family—his daughter Isabelle and son Floris—as well as the townsfolk. The narrative highlights the tensions between personal sacrifice, honor, and the moral constraints enforced by wartime authority, culminating in a poignant climax that unveils themes of heroism, loyalty, and the tragic cost of war.
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