Oh What A Lovely War

an entertaining and exuberant ride through the ironies and tragedies of the First World War.

We are delighted to welcome Northern Stage to the Playhouse with their national production of this landmark satirical musical.

A madcap orchestra of musicians, dancers, singers and clowns will come armed with sketches, songs and stories for your entertainment. Sombre buffoonery and musical ingenuity collides with the bawdy, tough humour of the squaddies on the front line to take you on an incredible journey across Europe. From the misplaced optimism of the British home front to the blood-soaked fields of Flanders the story is told through a fantastic collection of irreverent and poignant songs including well known favourites Pack Up Your Troubles, Keep The Home Fires Burning and It’s A Long Way To Tipperary.

Created in 1963 by the maverick director Joan Littlewood and her revolutionary company Theatre Workshop, Oh What A Lovely War is a truly original portrait of the conflict that changed the shape of our world for ever. Fun-filled storytelling with a tough, dark heart.

Cast includes: Joanna Croll, Victoria Elliott, Helen Embleton, Karen Fisher-Pollard, Robert Hands, Gary Kitching, Tarek Merchant, Sam O'Mahoney-Adams, Thomas Padden, Christopher Price, Theone Rashleigh, Jon Trenchard.

Directors Erica Whyman and Sam Kenyon create the emotional punch of Birdsong meets the biting satire of Blackadder in fun-filled storytelling with a tough, dark heart.

A Northern Stage production of Joan Littlewood's Musical Entertainment Oh What A Lovely War by Theatre Workshop, Charles Chilton, Gerry Raffles & Members of the Original Cast. Title suggested by Ted Allan.

Visit the Oh What A Lovely War microsite for more info.

 * * * * * "Not to be missed"
The Telegraph