A Curious Performance

Category

Library Item

Item no

32721

Title

"Daddy Long-Legs" Before the Blind: A Curious Performance.

Description

From the Illustrated London News published March 24th, 1917, page 350. Drawn by Frederic De Haenen. Full title: Actors in their every-day clothes; no scenery; and but two properties, a bell and a cup: the Duke of York's company's performance at the St. Dunstan's, Regent's Park.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1917

Size

39.6 x 27.5 cm

Type

Press cutting; Reproduction

Location

Reference Library

Boosting and maintaining morale during the World War One was of obvious interest to commanders and heads of state. Recruits often had a multitude of movitations for volunteering their service, but most felt a sense of patriotic duty and were eager to defend their country against its foreign enemies. However, simple patriotism was not enough to maintain troop morale alone. Military structure, rank relations, and access to leisure activities played a large role in deterring soldier disillusionment. German military structure led to higher rates of volunteer disenchantment, where as the British military structure promoted good relations between its officers and ranks. British soldiers also had access to leisure activities they enjoyed during peacetime, including trips to music halls, cinemas, theatres, and organised sports.

Read more about how soldiers coped with war from The British Library.

You can search the entire 1914-19 archives of the Illustrated London News online.

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Related subjects

Events > Wars > World wars

People > Adults > Crowds

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

People > Entertainment and sports > Actors

People > Military activities > Soldiers

Sport and leisure > Culture > Theatres