Set against the backdrop of depression-era politics, 1934 was an
annus mirabilis for English sport. Within just a few days of each other, Hedley Verity, Henry Cotton and Fred Perry all triumphed in their field. To a sporting audience still groaning through the quagmire left by the Great Depression, greedy for inspiring distractions, these heroic events made for a heady spectacle.
England”s Ashes Test victory at Lord”s (later known as Verity”s match) saw Australia seeking revenge after the Bodyline series of 1932-33, but Verity bowled England to a famous innings victory, taking 15 wickets – 14 in one day! That same day, Cotton set out on the first qualifying round of the British Open. He went on to set a new Open record with a game so sparkling the
Daily Express called it 'the best round of golf ever played’. And within a fortnight, Perry had beaten Australia”s Jack Crawford in the Wimbledon final. England had an extraordinary national hatrick.
Together, these three contests and these three singular life stories weave a vivid portrait of an England that has faded from view.
Half-Time celebrates a time of intense and rapid social and cultural change, a time that was both the last hurrah of the
ancien regime and the stirring of something new. And moving through it, famous actors on a grand stage, are three very English heroes.
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