It is 1942. The theatres of war are North Africa and Italy. All eyes follow the front but behind the scenes a messier war continues, an improvised game of snatched triumphs, terrible mistakes and terrifying uncertainties.

Cabaret singer by night, spy by day, Richard risks his life to help British servicemen escape from occupied France and get back to England.

Rose leads a group of high-spirited dancers travelling bombed-out Britian, entertaining factory workers as Hitler’s bombers roar in the skies above. Then she is given orders to join the forces in the field, destination unknown.

Meanwhile, a phantom pianist, who has lost the love of his life, is following Monty’s soldiers across the African desert, mocking the enemy’s guns by playing Beethoven between the lines.