The Man Who Stayed at Home (play)

The Man Who Stayed at Home is a three-act comedy play written by Lechmere Worrall and J. E. Harold Terry. It was first performed in 1914 at the Royalty Theatre in London and became a popular wartime production in both Britain and the United States.

The play's plot revolves around Christopher Brent, a seemingly unassuming and somewhat cowardly man who, much to the surprise of his friends and acquaintances, decides to remain in England during World War I. While others rush to join the armed forces, Brent stays at home, seemingly content with domestic life.

However, Brent's decision is not as simple as it appears. He is in fact a secret agent working undercover, using his apparent lack of patriotism as a disguise to investigate a group of German spies operating in his local area. The play utilizes humor and suspense as Brent navigates the complexities of his secret mission, ultimately leading to the capture of the spies and the vindication of his seemingly unheroic behavior.

The play's themes include patriotism, duty, appearances versus reality, and the often-unacknowledged contributions of individuals who operate behind the scenes during times of conflict. It offered audiences a humorous and reassuring perspective on the war effort, suggesting that even those who didn't fight on the front lines could play a crucial role in the nation's defense. The success of The Man Who Stayed at Home during World War I highlights the public's desire for entertainment that both acknowledged the war's seriousness and offered a sense of hope and patriotic affirmation.