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Journey's End

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  10m

R.C. Sherriff

The greatest of all English war plays, Journey's End shows the effect of war on a group of young officers.

Journey's End

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    10m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades

  • Nominee: 2005 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play

Details

Summary

The greatest of all English war plays, Journey's End shows the effect of war on a group of young officers. RC Sherriff's ground-breaking play remains one of the most powerful and successful pieces of modern drama and one of the most acclaimed examples of literature that deals with the tragedy and horror of conflict.

Set over the course of four days leading up to a massive German attack on the British trenches in 1918, Journey's End charts the tension and claustrophobia as the new recruit to the company, Lieutenant Raleigh, discovers that Captain Stanhope, his former childhood friend and hero, has changed almost beyond recognition.

History

First produced by the Incorporated Stage Society at the Apollo Theatre, London, W.C., December 9th, 1928, and subsequently at the Savoy Theatre, Strand, London, W.C. January 21st, 1929.

The play was revived in 2004 and again in 2011 in productions directed by David Grindley. 

Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
Captain Hardy, red-faced and cheerful
Lieutenant Osborne, about 45, tall and thin
Mason, a soldier servant
Lance-Corporal Broughton
Second Lieutenant Raleigh, about 18, well-built and healthy-looking
Captain Stanhope, 21, tall, thin and good-looking
Second Lieutenant Trotter, middle-aged and overweight
Hibbert, early 20s, a small, slightly-built man. Company Sergeant-Major, a huge man with a heavy black moustache
Colonel
German Boy
Soldiers
  • Time Period 1910s/WWI
  • Setting

    A dug-out in the British trenches before St Quentin

  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

"the play draws its power from the detail...incomparably moving" - Georgina Brown, Daily Mail

"The greatest of all war plays" - Hannen Swaffer The Daily Express

"(a) sublime play...Excellent performances and a corkscrew of tension, emotion and drama left not a dry eye in the house." Matilda Battersby, Independent

"Recent revivals have suggested that Sherriff's drama remains as hard-hitting and fresh as ever." - Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £85 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

    Please submit a license request to determine availability.

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