On Saturday 27th April Gateways to the First World War presents a free lecture-concert with the Invicta Concert Band at Westgate Hall, Canterbury, as part of our AHRC-funded public engagement programme.

Dr Emma Hanna (School of History) and Dr Helen Brooks (School of Arts) will bring together their respective expertise in the histories of wartime music and wartime theatre to explore the story of the West End during the First World War. In August 1914 theatre managers were worried about the impact of the war on their businesses. Yet rather than causing a decline in theatre-going, the war provided a much-needed boost to the British theatre industry. Across the country theatres played a vital role in the war effort: encouraging recruitment, raising money for various war charities, and maintaining the morale of both civilians and service personnel.

With the Invicta Concert Band and professional singers bringing the songs to life, this is a unique opportunity to experience the music and stories from some of the biggest hits of the war years, including Chu Chin Chow, A Little Bit of Fluff, and The Bing Boys Are Here.

A must for any fan of musical theatre and theatre history!

Doors and bar open 6.30pm. Concert starts at 7pm. You can book your place online.