Entertaining the Troops 1939-45

By: Kiri Bloom Walden

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Paperback | 22 January 2019

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64 Pages

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20.9 x 14.9 x 0.4

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The fascinating story of the entertainment used to keep up the troops' spirits in the Second World War.

This book explores the foundation and work of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) and other entertainment organisations such as CEMA and Stars in Battledress. These organisations ensured that troops in all theatres of the Second World War were visited by big bands, ballet stars, Shakespearian actors and the most famous popular entertainers of the day in order to raise morale.

Many of Britain's biggest stars cut their teeth performing on makeshift stages to homesick soldiers, sailors and airmen and women during the war years, with famous performers including Laurence Olivier, Gracie Fields, George Formby, Vera Lynn, Margot Fonteyn and members of The Goons. This book also details the alternative arrangements made when the entertainment organisations couldn't come the forces often put on their own shows, with pantomimes and plays written and performed by POWs being a prime example.

About the Author

Kiri Bloom Walden teaches Film and Cultural studies at Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education. Before she became a writer, Kiri worked in the film industry and briefly at London's Players Theatre. Kiri's interests include film history, women's military history, comic books, circus, magic and Victorian periodicals.

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