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World War One: The Cultural Front

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Factual: History

Series 3

Francine Stock explores how World War I changed art, words and society.

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World War One: The Cultural Front: Series 4

World War One: The Cultural Front: Series 4: An Intimate War

26/08/2017

An Intimate War

Series 4

BBC Radio 4 - World War One: The Cultural Front, Series 4, An Intimate War

Francine Stock considers the intimate impact of war on society and culture.

In the final episode of this 2017's series on the Great War, Francine Stock considers the intimate impact of war on society and culture.

By 1917 soldiers had been fighting what seemed like a never ending war. They yearned for entertainment, an escape from the horror surrounding them. 

In the final episode of this year's series on the Great War, Francine Stock finds out about popular cross-dressing theatre troupes who by 1917 were taking the Front Line by storm. 

Female impersonators with names like the Sensual Salome and Bodo Wild would perform in front of huge crowds of admiring soldiers, who would send them love letters, perfume and stockings. 

Although there was a widespread expectation that war would cause society to return to Victorian ideals about the roles of men and women, instead it started challenged traditional norms.

There was tension between the model of the war hero - as depicted in popular literature - and the private experience of the combatants who read these books and poems. Novels spoke of war as a "rattling good adventure yarn", but the real life battlefield told a different story. 

Producer: Caitlin Smith.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Francine Stock explores how World War I changed art, words and society in 1917.

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World War One: The Cultural Front

Series 4

An Intimate War

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