Black 'Ell

Black 'Ell is a one-act war play written by Miles Malleson and first published in 1917. The play is set in the trenches of World War I and follows a group of British soldiers as they prepare for an attack on the German front line. The soldiers are led by Sergeant Major Black 'Ell a tough and experienced soldier who is respected and feared by his men.As the soldiers wait for the attack to begin they discuss their fears and hopes for the future. Some are resigned to their fate while others cling to the hope of survival. When the attack finally begins the soldiers face a brutal and bloody battle with many losing their lives.Throughout the play Malleson explores the themes of courage sacrifice and the human cost of war. He also highlights the class differences that existed within the British army at the time with Black 'Ell representing the working-class soldiers who were often looked down upon by their officers.Black 'Ell is a powerful and moving play that offers a stark portrayal of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on those who fight it. It remains a classic of British theatre and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers in World War I.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting preserving and promoting the world's literature in affordable high quality modern editions that are true to their original work.