LIFE Photo Collection
The actual World War periods were quite prosperous for theatre as people looked to escape from the trials and tribulations of battle-torn Europe.
There was a brief hiatus when the Spanish Flu struck in 1918. Audiences attended in face masks and theatre programmes enlarged their advertising entry that 'This theatre is disinfected throughout by Jeyes Fluid'.
LIFE Photo Collection
Between the wars saw a mini building boom, partly as a result of economic recovery but also due to advances in poured concrete construction. This allowed for speedy building of large capacity venues.
In the West End, the Dominion, Fortune and Cambridge Theatres were completely new builds. At the same time, the Adelphi was remodelled inside with fashionable art deco finishes.
Conservative plays by Somerset Maugham, Frederick Lonsdale, and A. A. Milne dominated the West End, but thrillers and murder mysteries also grew in popularity.
J. B. Priestley's plays highlighted a social conscience whilst a young Noël Coward rocked the boat with sexual compulsion and drug-taking in his first play, The Vortex.
By Loomis DeanLIFE Photo Collection
Noël Coward went on to dominate the industry. This included a string of light comedies in which he usually starred, supplying music and sketches for revues, and producing the patriotic Drury Lane spectacular Cavalcade. His work made a change from the vibrant American musicals, such as Show Boat.
Careless Rapture (1936) by The George Hoare Theatre CollectionSociety of London Theatre & UK Theatre
The Aldwych farces by Ben Travers, and Ivor Novello's romantic musicals were major crowd pleasers. However, the real horrors of war and revolution were portrayed in R. C. Sherriff's Journey's End and the plays of Sean O'Casey.
A Tribute To Audrey Hepburn (1956-03-21) by Allan GrantLIFE Photo Collection
Post Second World War saw the rise of kitchen sink dramas and censorship was (finally!) dropped - read about it here.
