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The Soldiers Theatre in France, WW1
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The Soldiers Theatre in France, WW1
The Follies, one of numerous entertainment troupes performing for soldiers in France, giving a performance to an audience from an undisclosed division at a converted factory near the British front. The makeshift theatre held nearly 1000 people and, reports The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, so popular have these " Follies" become that another Division has started a similar entertainment. Date: 1915
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Media ID 14139458
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Audience Concert Concerts Converted Entertainers Follies Makeshift Performance Pierrot Troupe Troupes
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment of respite and joy during the harsh realities of the Western Front in 1915. The Soldiers Theatre in France, also known as the Follies, is seen here in full swing as an entertainment troupe puts on a performance for an eager audience of soldiers. The makeshift theatre, converted from a factory near the British front lines, could hold up to 1000 people and had become so popular that another division had started a similar entertainment. The Follies were just one of numerous troupes that brought a much-needed dose of laughter and diversion to the soldiers during the First World War. The stage is set with a pierrot costume, a popular choice for the performers, adding a touch of whimsy and lightheartedness to the scene. The soldiers, dressed in their uniforms and seated on wooden benches, are fully engaged in the performance, momentarily forgetting the horrors of the battlefield. The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News reported on the popularity of these concerts, noting the importance of such entertainment in boosting morale and providing a much-needed distraction from the harsh realities of war. The Follies and other similar troupes played a crucial role in the history of the war effort, bringing a sense of normalcy and joy to the soldiers during their time in the trenches. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the human spirit's ability to find joy and connection even in the most challenging of circumstances.
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