Britain Had Talent A History of Variety Theatre [Hardcover]

In the first major academic work to examine British variety theatre, Double provides a detailed history of this art form and analyses its performance dynamics and techniques. Encompassing singers, comedians, dancers, magicians, ventriloquists and diverse speciality acts, this vibrant book draws on a series of new interviews with variety veterans.

Preface.- Introduction.- PART I: HISTORY OF VARIETY PERFORMANCE.- Britain's Got Talent.- The Variety Bill.- Music Hall becomes Variety.- The Golden Age of Variety.- Variety Falls Apart.- PART II: PERFORMANCE DYNAMICS.- Personality.- Participation.- Skill.- Novelty.- PART III: VARIETY PERFORMANCE TODAY.- Variety Now.- Bibliography.

OLIVER DOUBLE is a senior lecturer in Drama at the University of Kent, UK. Once a stand-up comedian himself, his teaching in this area is highly acclaimed and has received national media attention. He is the author of Getting the Joke: The Inner Workings of Stand-Up Comedy (Methuen, 2005) and Stand Up! On Being a Comedian (Methuen, 1997).
 
Find out more about the author here: www.oliverdouble.com and view a celebration of variety theatre on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRUKjWZ47SI
 The first history of British variety theatre and so essential reading for students of popular theatre
Draws on a series of new interviews with veteran variety performers including Vera Lynn, the Beverley Sisters, Roy Hudd, Barry Cryer, Wyn Calvin and Ronnie Ronalde, as well as variety agents Michael Grade and Morris Aza
Collates a wealth of research material into a single resource, including audio recordings, newspaper reviews, trade publications, theatre programmes and posters
Author is a major name in the field his teaching has received national media attention, and his standup performances and radio appearances have been warmly reviewed over thels