Lecture
Professor David Peimer
Saturday 29.11.2025
Professor David Peimer
Popular Songs and Music on the Eve of WWI
Saturday 29.11.2025
How to watch
This lecture starts on 29 November at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
As we imagine a world long past and yet so close and vital to our understanding of today’s alarming world, we journey through popular songs of that era: patriotic songs (“Tipperary,” “Over There”), songs of longing (‘'I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” “If you were the only Girl in the World”), Christmas truce songs (“Auld Lang Syne,” “Silent Night”), and others. Join us as we delve into how they echo thoughts of today: romance, patriotism, longing, propaganda, youthful idealism, adventure—and capture our all too human inner dreams and drives on the eve of war.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.