Oh! What A Lovely War!, a classic 1960s World War I narrative infused with political, economic and social commentary, has been resuscitated for modern audiences. The original is chock-full of incisive observations, criticizing the "ruling class" for distancing themselves from the realities of war that they themselves initiated for the sake and imperial expansion. The play also contains themes of inciting patriotism amongst citizens to garner more support and approval for imperial and military adventures, even as the casualties mount. Echoing the current political climate, the contemporary production retains and enhances these themes by craftily incorporating elements from our time, such as a CNN-like ticker of increasing casualties. This drama may be decades old, but its messages are strikingly relevant and timely, reminding us that history does indeed repeat itself.
