ABSTRACT
After the First World War, mainstream British theatre seemed to turn in on itself and rely on insulated commercialism. But still some theatres, companies and touring groups, as well as some of Europe’s most compelling theatre artists, often refugees from their own country, tenaciously worked to create theatre with something other than Box Office receipts at its heart. They blossomed during the inter-war years, even if, like blossom, they were often quickly blown away by the blasts of financial pressure or in the face of cheaper, more accessible drama in ‘new’ media, radio and film, especially after the late 1920s, talking films. These theatres often offered something unique, live theatre at (usually) popular prices and plays which commercial managers were frightened of and sometimes the censor was dubious about. Amateur-professional collaboration was frequently applied to pageants which became popular during this period.
