In The Entertainer, John Osborne paints a grim picture of England, a world empire in decline, where the underprivileged are cannon fodder and their patriotism and latent racism create a toxic cocktail. In the family devoid of all illusions, Osborne places granddaughter Jean as the only hope for the future: she refuses the role of victim and turns away from nostalgic talk and easy enemies. The Entertainer is a true West End classic. The piece does not shy away from sentiment, provokes and softens and draws on the rich Music Hall tradition: despair wrapped in comedy, cynicism set to bittersweet melodies.