R. C. Sherriff

R. C. Sherriff (1896–1975) was an English playwright and novelist whose best-known work, Journey’s End, portrays British officers in the First World War.

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Journey’s End: A 1928 play by R. C. Sherriff about British officers in a dugout during the First World War. This play brought Sherriff lasting recognition through its unsentimental portrayal of trench life.
First World War: A global war fought from 1914 to 1918, chiefly between the Allied and Central Powers. Sherriff served in this conflict, which supplied the setting and lived experience of Journey’s End.
Laurence Olivier: An English actor and director whose career spanned theatre, film, and television. Olivier played Captain Stanhope in the original London production of Journey’s End.
Trench warfare: A form of land warfare in which opposing forces fight from fortified trench systems. Its confined, dangerous routines shape the soldiers’ daily world in Journey’s End.
Journey’s End (1930 film): A British film adaptation of Sherriff’s play, directed by James Whale and released in 1930. This early film carried the stage drama to cinema audiences.
The White Carnation: A 1925 play by R. C. Sherriff, set in a country house during a weekend party. Sherriff’s early play preceded the wartime drama that made his name.
Essex Regiment: A British Army infantry regiment that served in conflicts including the First World War. Sherriff served as an officer in the regiment and was wounded in 1917.
Colin Clive: An English actor known for stage and film roles, including Dr. Frankenstein in Frankenstein. Clive played Stanhope in the original 1928 London cast.
One-act play: A drama presented in a single act, usually shorter than a full-length play. Sherriff developed Journey’s End from a shorter play before expanding it.
Journey’s End (2017 film): A British film adaptation of Sherriff’s play, directed by Saul Dibb and released in 2017. Its later adaptation shows the play’s continuing presence in First World War culture.