The Accrington pals

This poignant and harrowing play is set in the early years of the First World War, as the country's jingoistic optimism starts to wane and the true terror of warfare gradually becomes clear. It depicts both the experiences of the men at the front and the women who were left behind to face social changes, deprivation and the lies of propaganda. While often comic vignettes portray the everyday life of a town bereft of men, the men face the horror that is the Battle of the Somme.

The Accrington Pals portrays the devastating effects of war on a typical Lancashire mill town and the suffering of everyday people.

This Modern Classic edition includes a new preface by the author and full introduction exploring the play's themes, historical context and characters.