Theatrical Entertainment and the First World War in Richmond

Theatrical Entertainment and the First World War in Richmond education pack Contentso Foreword 1 How to use this pack 2 Introduction R Theatre and the First World War 3 Entertaining Richmond R Local Theatres and Cinemas 5 R The Belgian Community 7 Confronting the War R Propaganda in the Cinema 9 R Escapism in Richmond’s Theatres and Cinemas 11 Theatre and Soldiers R Recruitment 13 R Entertaining Wounded Soldiers 15 Women and Theatre in Richmond R Gertrude Jennings 17 R Women and Fundraising 19 Into 1918 R J. M. Barrie and A Well-Remembered Voice 21 Further Information R Glossary 23 R Workshops and Places to Visit 24 W FOREWORD In January 2016, the Arts and Humanities Research in live stage performances of J.M. Barrie’s 1918 play, A Council - in conjunction with the Centre for Everyday Well-Remembered Voice in the autumn. A modern theatre Lives at War based at the University of Hertfordshire - piece, developed by young people and Dramatic Edge provided a grant to fund a project exploring theatrical will also be developed and performed in the autumn. entertainment in Richmond and the surrounding area Following extensive research using Richmond’s Local during the First World War. After Tipperary: Theatrical Studies Library and Archive, and with the kind help of Entertainment and the First World War in Richmond aims Richmond Theatre, this cross curricular Education Pack to re-assess the impact of the war on the Home Front aims to engage KS2 pupils with First World War culture, by examining the theatrical scene in the local area. and to question the way in which we view the Home First World War theatre will be brought back to life Front between 1914 and 1918. Cllr Meena Bond Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Sport No known copyright restrictions copyright known No British government poster promoting the war effort Cover image: Marie Lloyd on stage, 1890s 1 No known copyright restrictions HOW TO USE THIS EDUCATION PACK This Education Pack has been designed for use by Each section is divided as follows: teachers to help plan and teach in the classroom. It provides an introduction to the role theatre had to play during the First World War, focusing on the experience T of Richmond and surrounding areas. Activities are aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils, though some activities may be TEACHER’S PAGE modified for use with Key Stage 1 classes. This pack This includes key information for teachers to assist aims to work in conjunction with outreach workshops teaching in the classroom. It is intended to be used provided by Orleans House Gallery which will be available to help inform lesson planning, and provide ideas for to book in autumn 2016; and provides new ways for discussoin points. teachers to approach the topic of the First World War. This Pack is divided into the following sections: A General Introduction to the theatrical and ACTIVITY PAGE entertainment industry during the First World War. This page is specifically designed to be photocopied and distributed as an activity for the class. The activities have ‘Entertaining Richmond’ explores the wide variety been written with Key Stage 2 groups in mind, and cover of entertainment venues, theatres and cinemas available key components of the National Curriculum for History, to the local community in war time. Art and English, as well as additional skills and subjects such as Drama and group working. ‘Confronting the War’ considers the types of plays and films being shown and introduces ideas such as ‘propaganda’ and ‘escapism’. ‘Theatre and Soldiers’ looks at theatre as a recruitment tool and a past time for convalescing soldiers ‘Women and Theatre in Richmond’ explores the role of women in the theatre industry and the Actresses Franchise League. ‘Into 1918’ considers the work of J. M. Barrie as the war progressed into 1918. 2 T Introduction Theatre and the First World WAR Following a crisis in Europe, which saw the assassination of Learning Objectives Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the invasion of Belgium To introduce the topic of theatrical by Germany, Britain declared war on Germany in August entertainment in war time and establish 1914. What had initially began as hostilities between the context of the First World War. Austro-Hungary and Serbia soon drew in the powers from across the globe. Armies and civilians experienced for the first time a ‘total war’. During the war, the entertainment industry on the Home Front flourished. At first, people were concerned that it was too much of an indulgence to go out and enjoy the theatre at a time of great crisis. However, shows and performances proved to be an excellent way of boosting public morale. Revue became particularly popular during the war; a form of entertainment which included short sketches, dance and music. Variety performances could also include other acts such as magic, acrobatics and ventriloquism. Cinema also became increasingly popular in the early 20th Century: Britain’s first purpose-built cinema opened in 1907 and by 1914 there were 5,000 across the country. Wartime performances offered the public a chance to escape the ordeal of the war. Shows tended to be light- hearted and fun in nature. Others were used as a means Image Courtesy of Richmond upon Thames Local Studies Library and Archive and Library Studies Local Thames upon Richmond of Courtesy Image of rallying the public to support the war effort. A war drama, shown in Richmond at the Castle Theatre in 1914, Site of the Talbot Picture Palace, 1910 was based on the famous song It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary. A play dealing with the threat of supposed German spies, The Enemy in our Midst was shown at the Lyric in Twickenham in December 1914. Menace of the Air, shown in February 1916, dealt with the threat of Zeppelin airships over Britain. Discuss How do you think the war impacted upon people on the Home Front? Teacher’s Notes © IWM Q 1 The sources given on the activity page include a Royal Irish Rifles on the Somme, July 1916 photograph of female workers at a local aircraft factory, an extract from Virginia Woolf’s diary about a zeppelin air raid, and a photograph of volunteer recruits for the British Army, demonstrating how the general population were affected by war. The two additional sources demonstrate how theatrical entertainment offered a boost to public morale. 3 Introduction Theatre and the HISTORY First World War ACTIVITY: USING FIRST WORLD WAR SOURCES Look at the primary sources. They can tell us lots about how people experienced the First World War. Use the sources to answer the following questions. Remember, there are not always right or wrong answers when reading primary sources. Discuss your answers in groups or as a class. You may want to write notes on a separate page. Image Courtesy of Richmond upon Thames Local Local Thames Image Courtesy of Richmond upon LibraryStudies and Archive Women at work at the Whitehead Aircraft Factory in Richmond, 1918 Who was affected by the First World War? Try and list as many groups as you can. Why do you think people continued to go to the theatre and cinema during wartime? No Known Copyright RestrictionsNo Known Copyright British volunteers for Kitchener’s Army in London, August 1914 “…during the war the theatres have done their duty to the public; contributed to the quota to the fighting services; and carried on the task of entertaining the people in the face of many hardships.” The Times Newspaper, 1918 “two soft distant but unmistakeable shocks at 9.30; then a third which shook the window.” Virginia Woolf describes in her diary a Zeppelin air raid over Image Courtesy of Richmond Theatre Richmond of Courtesy Image London in October 1917. Virginia and her husband Leonard lived at Hogarth House from 1915 onwards. Advert for the Richmond Hippodrome (Theatre) 4 T ENTERTAINING RICHMOND LOCAL TheatreS and CINEMAS Learning Objectives To consider the variety of entertainment venues in Richmond at the turn of the century By the time of the First World War, a number of theatres and cinemas had been established in Richmond and the surrounding suburbs, to cater for those who did not want to commute into London’s West End. As entertainment venues, they did not simply just show films and plays; but also featured music acts, comedy acts and news Image Courtesy of Howard Webb postcardsthenandnow.blogspot.co.uk postcardsthenandnow.blogspot.co.uk Webb Image Courtesy of Howard films. Theatres were important centres for the community. Richmond Theatre, 1910 The fact that the Talbot Cinema in Richmond was refurbished and redecorated in 1917 – some years into the war – shows that cinema and theatrical entertainment was still considered of great importance, despite the disruption caused by conflict. Originally a hotel, the building was bought in 1911 by William H. Smither, who wished to diversify his Livery and Stables business with a cinema. The Talbot Cinema was sold in 1917 to Joseph Mears, who also purchased Richmond Theatre (known as the Richmond Hippodrome) in the same year. He went on to own most of the local cinemas, as well as a number of pleasure boats on the Thames, and was founding Image Courtesy of Richmond upon Thames Local Studies Library Studies Local and Archive Thames Image Courtesy of Richmond upon director of Chelsea Football Club. Advert for the Talbot Picture Theatre Well-known theatre architect Frank Matcham built Richmond Theatre in 1899. He returned to the Borough Discuss in 1912/13, to build the Karsino – a luxurious hotel on How many cinemas and theatres do you know Tagg’s Island (near Hampton) a ballroom and concert of in the local area today? Do you think there are pavilion with a reversible stage.

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