Themes

The Navy's People

• Naval Lives

• In Focus: Women in the Navy

• In Focus: Recreation and Time off

  • Personal Time

  • Living Conditions

  • Sports

  • Crossing the Line across the century

  • Parties onboard

  • NAAFI

• In Focus: Discipline and Punishment

Learning

• How To: Understand Naval Medals

Parties onboard

Article highlights

• Entertainment at sea

• Concert parties

• 'Sods Opera'

• ENSA

Concert parties

Costumes, music, a few issues of rum, maybe a magician and a few songs. Concert parties onboard ship are anticipated and long planned for.

Mirth & Magic onboard ship (RNM)

The images in this section show the fun, ingenuity and resourcefulness of sailors who spend months, years away from home, family and the outside world.

In 1906 Admiralty published an official navy songbook, which included over seventy titles. Old time sailors also staged their own concerts.

Each ship would create a concert party, as the ships crew changed they would bring different acts and turns. Some matelots with musical skills were happy to show off whilst others had to be coaxed to contribute.

Concert Party full cast of players c1920s (RNM)

Crew of HMS Agincourt dressed as stores (RNM)