Post-War British Drama: Revisiting Gender Roles and Relationships

The post-war era in Britain was a time of significant social and cultural change. The war had a profound impact on the lives of women, who had played a vital role in the war effort and were now demanding greater equality. This demand for change was reflected in the popular culture of the time, including in the theatre. Post-war British drama saw a number of significant plays that explored the changing roles and relationships of men and women.

Look Back in Anger

Post-war British Drama: Looking Back in Gender

by Michelene Wandor

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	773 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	289 pages

FREE

One of the most iconic plays of the post-war era is John Osborne's Look Back in Anger. First performed in 1956, the play tells the story of Jimmy Porter, a young working-class man who is angry and disillusioned with his life. Jimmy's anger is directed at everything from his wife, Alison, to the upper classes to the government. The play was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to define a new generation of British writers who were known as the "Angry Young Men." Look Back in Anger is a powerful and moving play that explores the frustrations and anxieties of post-war Britain.

The Entertainer

Another important play from the post-war era is John Osborne's The Entertainer. First performed in 1957, the play tells the story of Archie Rice, a washed-up music hall comedian. Archie is a complex and contradictory character, and the play explores his relationships with his wife, his daughters, and his fellow performers. The Entertainer is a funny and heartbreaking play that provides a sharp critique of British society in the 1950s. The play was a critical and commercial success, and it cemented Osborne's reputation as one of the leading playwrights of his generation.

A Taste of Honey

One of the most groundbreaking plays of the post-war era is Shelagh Delaney's A Taste of Honey. First performed in 1958, the play tells the story of Jo, a young working-class girl who becomes pregnant by a black sailor. Jo is disowned by her mother, and she is forced to live on her own. Shelagh Delaney was only 19 years old when she wrote A Taste of Honey, and the play is a remarkable achievement. It is a powerful and moving play that explores the themes of love, loss, and family. A Taste of Honey was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch the careers of a number of young actors, including Rita Tushingham and Murray Melvin.

The post-war era was a time of great change for British society, and this change was reflected in the theatre. The plays of John Osborne, Shelagh Delaney, and other writers explored the changing roles and relationships of men and women, and they provided a sharp critique of British society. These plays are still relevant today, and they continue to provide insights into the human condition.