Splinters

"The story of the origin in Flanders of the "Splinters" Concert Party- later famous in the West End and on tour- is used as a central idea on which to base a topping performance of the kind for which the "Splinters" are renowned. The story goes that Hal Jones is in the front line, and when he is sent for urgently by the Army commander, he conjures up visions of a swift and sticky end in retribution of a hectic time just recently spent. But the officer merely wants him to get together a concert party to keep up the spirits of the troops. How he gets together his troupe- an excruciatingly funny bit of business- and how they become a force of great moral strength to the fighting Tommies is a neat story in itself. But the main purpose lies in its facile use as a backbone on which to fasten some of the best burlesque, revue and musical farce ever staged." (Original Herald)