1. Journey’s End By R.C. Sherriff
L.O. To understand the historical context of the play

2. Robert Cedric Sherriff
Born 1896 – Surrey
Wounded in 1917 during WW1 in France
He wrote 6 earlier plays that were not successful
‘Journey’s End’ was his 7th play and was first performed in 1928
Sherriff died in 1975 – this play is considered his greatest achievement

3. Social & Historical Context
Written in the late 1920’s
Most audience members at this time went to the theatre to escape their lives
After the war the class system was undergoing massive change – commercially successful plays had to appeal to the masses
An all-male play about war was an unexpected success
Winston Churchill was a fan of the play and invited Sherriff to Downing Street to discuss it

4. Social & Historical Context
A lot of great poetry has come out of this time.
War poets were usually soldiers who found that poetry was a way to voice their horrific experiences.

5. Setting of the play Set in St Quentin, France 1918
Starts Monday 18th March
3 days later Germany launched ‘Operation Michael’
Historically accurate rather than ‘anti war’
Life in the trenches
The audience of the day would remember the experience first hand

6. Staging of the play The setting is naturally suited to the stage
Warren-like nature of dugouts
Cramped close conditions
Hardships – exposed to elements
Camaraderie of shared experience
Single staging with ‘off stage’ locations inferred
You will see this is the film version.

7. Analysing a Play Form & Structure Themes Plot Lighting & sound Play
characters
Stage directions
Language
Context

8. Analysing a Play Form & Structure Themes Plot Lighting & sound Play
characters
Stage directions
Language
Context

9. Studying characters What the character says and does
What other characters say about them
The character’s appearance and manner
Write these down. This is the basis for your assessment!

10. Brigadier
Hardy
Colonel
Dennis Stanhope
Osborne
Trotter
Hibbert
Sergeant Major
Company soldiers
James Raleigh
Mason
Young German Soldier

11. Colonel His view of war is as a game He is removed from the horror
He seems insensitive
He is only following orders himself
Contrasts with the respected Stanhope
Possibility to study ‘Base Details’ when introducing the relationship between the colonel and the soldiers

12. Hardy Secondary character He offers the first insight into Stanhope
Messy & disorganised
Red faced and cheerful
Offers a contrast to Stanhope

13. Stanhope Son of a vicar 21 years old (but seems older)
Holder of the Military Cross
High personal standards
Heavy drinker as a coping mechanism
A natural leader
No leave in 3 years
Survived the battle of Vimy Ridge
Hardened but with a tender heart

14. Osborne The oldest member of c company (45) Married with 2 children
Former school master
Wise & approachable
Loyal and a calming influence
A mentor to Stanhope
Well liked & trusted
Humble – National rugby player

15. Trotter The only officer who has not attended public school
Middle aged & ‘homely looking’
He comfort eats and is portly!
Friendly & jovial
Unemotional & uses humour as armour
Loyal – becomes 2 I.C.
There is more to him than at first appears

16. Hibbert In his early 20s Weak & ineffectual
Psychologically ill or cowardly?
Exploitative of women
A contrast to Raleigh
Not part of the ‘brotherhood’ of C company

17. Raleigh Boyish youth Naive & vulnerable
An old school friend of Stanhope
Courageous
Eager to please
Hero worships the older men
A typical innocent victim of war

18. Mason Lower class character Soldier & cook
Hard working & keen to serve
Offers moments of light relief
He brings normality to the madness of war

19. The Plot

20. Structure Three acts Confined time span Claustrophobic setting
Does not follow the rules of a ‘well made play’- instead a series of complications are presented leading to mini climaxes
Texture of mood & tone