Crete and Sergeant Pepper

Synopsis

Crete, 1941. In the confines of a German POW camp, the absurdity of war is laid bare through humour and resilience

Crete and Sergeant Pepper is a dark comedy set during World War II, primarily within a German prisoner-of-war camp on the island of Crete. The play centers around a group of British soldiers who, finding themselves detached from the frontlines, create their own microcosm of society within the camp. They engage in drag performances, anarchic debates, and other forms of escapism to cope with their captivity.

The narrative intertwines slapstick humour with moments of poignant reflection on the absurdity and futility of war. Antrobus’s sharp wit and satirical style offer a comic-book view of the war, contrasting the grim reality with surreal and humorous escapades. The play captures the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, using humor as a means of survival and resistance.