Belgian soldiers on the Western Front receive permission to form a theatrical troupe to entertain comrades behind the lines and raise morale. The troupe includes men performing in drag and stages both professional-looking shows and more intimate revues for high-ranking officers. Performers face accusations of cowardice and must endure boorish behavior while also creating children’s shows for the horribly wounded in hospitals and patriotic vignettes. Francis, a civilian tailor turned exuberant performer, leads the group with imagination and commitment. Pierre, a shy soldier, becomes fascinated and deliberately injures himself to join. Francis and Pierre’s love affair intensifies doubts about whether to desert and openly affirm their identities.
"Interestingly, it isn't just a matter of the troupe providing racy, louche shows for the ranks. Francis and the players have to put on a more intimate after-dinner revue for high-ranking types and endure their boorish behaviour; they also have to produce little entertainments, like children's shows, for the horribly wounded in hospitals, and even mount stirringly martial, patriotic vignettes for"
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]