Waterloo Bridge (play)

Waterloo Bridge is a 1930 stage play written by Robert E. Sherwood. It is a romantic tragedy set in London during World War I, revolving around the brief but intense love affair between Myra Deauville, an American dancer, and Roy Cronin, a British officer.

The play explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the destructive impact of war on individuals. Myra, struggling with poverty and societal pressures, makes a fateful decision that ultimately leads to heartbreak. Roy, a young and idealistic soldier, is deeply affected by the experience of war and his lost love.

Waterloo Bridge was a successful production on Broadway, running for a significant number of performances and garnering positive reviews. The play’s success led to several film adaptations, the most famous of which are the 1931 and 1940 films, both titled Waterloo Bridge. These film versions, while based on the core story, often differ in specific plot details and character portrayals from the original stage play.