The Battle of the Somme (1916)

Free Screening at The Duke of York’s Picturehouse, Brighton. With original medley from silent film accompanist Stephen Horne 

This free screening at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse, Brighton is organised by Gateways to the First World War and The Fedora Group and will feature an accompaniment on piano of the original medley score from silent film accompanist Stephen Horne. Come along and find out more about how the British public encountered the war on the big screen, with a welcome from Dr Sam Carroll (Gateways to the First World War) a brief talk about the Battle of the Somme by Dr Lucy Noakes, an introduction to the film from Glyn Edwards (The Fedora Group: Stage Screen and Trench) and a brief talk on the the original piano medley score for today’s audience (Stephen Horne, Silent film accompanist).

This year, Imperial War Museums (IWM) and members of the First World War Centenary Partnership are working together to show the UNESCO listed film The Battle of the Somme, to audiences across the world. Shot and screened in 1916, it was the first feature length documentary about war and changed the way both cinema and film was perceived by the public. In the year of its release around 20 million people, almost half the population of Britain at the time, watched The Battle of the Somme many hoping to see the image of a loved-one, or friend captured on film. One hundred years later, this unique film from IWM’s collection, is being shown to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.*

More information about the First World War Centenary Partnership’s plans to commemorate the Battle of the Somme.

IWM’s First World War Centenary Partnership

IWM is leading the First World War Centenary Partnership, a network of local, regional and international cultural and educational organisations. Together, the Partnership is presenting a vibrant programme of cultural events, activities and digital platforms, enabling millions of people across the world to discover more about life in the First World War.

IWM established the First World War Centenary Partnership in 2010. The founding ambition for the Partnership was that its members would collectively organise and present a vibrant, diverse and far-reaching programme to reflect how people want to remember, commemorate and debate the conflict in their own communities, in a way that is meaningful for them.

For more information about First World War Centenary Partnership activities visit www.1914.org

Gateways to the First World War

Gateways is Gateways to the First World War is a centre for public engagement with the First World War centenary funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The aim of the Gateways team is to encourage and support public interest in the centenary of the First World War through a range of events and activities such as open days and study days, advice on access to materials and expertise, and signposting for other resources and forms of support. The Centre is managed by the University of Kent in partnership with the Universities of Brighton, Portsmouth, Leeds and Queen Mary, London.

For More information about Gateways to the First World War.

The Fedora Group: Stage, Screen and Trench

Fedora presents work by a number of S.E. regional artists specialising in performing arts and heritage projects for young people and families. Thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund Fedora are touring an exhibition Stage, Screen & Trench to Brighton Fishing Museum, Hastings Museum & Art Gallery and Littlehampton Museum during 2016. The exhibition explores forgotten stories of the entertainers and film makers of Sussex who provided the real life inspiration for Oh, What a Lovely War!

More information about the Fedora Group and the Stage, Screen and Trench project .

This year, Imperial War Museums (IWM) and members of the First World War Centenary Partnership are working together to show the UNESCO listed film The Battle of the Somme, to audiences across the world.  Shot and screened in 1916, it was the first feature length documentary about war and changed the way both cinema and film was perceived by the public. In the year of its release around 20 million people, almost half the population of Britain at the time, watched The Battle of the Somme many hoping to see the image of a loved-one, or friend captured on film.  One hundred years later, this unique film from IWM’s collection, is being shown to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.*

(For more information about the First World War Centenary Partnership’s plans to commemorate the Battle of the Somme visit www.1914.org)