The Accrington Pals is a poignant and harrowing play set in the early
years of the First World War, as the country's jingoistic optimism
starts to wane and the true terror of warfare gradually becomes clear.
The play looks at both the terrifying experiences of the men at the
front and the women who were left behind to face social changes,
deprivation and the lies of propaganda. While often comic vignettes
portray the everyday life of a town denuded of men, the men face the
terror that is the Battle of the Somme.
This compassionate play portrays the devastating effects of war on a
typical Lancashire mill town and the suffering of everyday people.
This Modern Classic edition includes a new preface by the author, plus a
full introduction exploring the themes, social/historical context and
characters. The edition also includes a chronology and classroom
activities.