British Musical Theatre since 1950 [Hardcover]

This critical introduction to British musical theatre since 1950 is the first book to discuss its post-war developments from the perspective of British  as opposed to American  popular culture. The genre is situated within the historical context of post-war British society in order to explore the range of forms through which significant sociocultural moments are represented.

Introductory chapters analyse the way British musicals have responded to social change, the forms of popular theatre and music from which they have developed and their originality in elaborating new narrative strategies since the seventies. A key feature of the book is its close readings of twelve key works, fromSalad Days(1954) andOliver!(1960) to global smash hits such asLes Mis?rables(1985) andThe Phantom of the Opera(1986) and beyond, including the latest critical and box-office successMatilda(2011). Also analysed are British favourites (Blood Brothers, 1983), cult shows (The Rocky Horror Show, 1975) and musicals with a pre-existing fan-base, such asMamma Mia!(1999).

List of Illustrations
Introduction
Part I: Musicals and Social Change (Robert Gordon)
1.1 British Theatre and Society after the Second World War
1.2 Innovation and Nostalgia: Camp in the Post-War British Musical
Case Study 1:Salad Days
1.3 Rock and Roll and the Theatre Revolution
1.4 The Play with Music: Political Theatre and Working-Class Culture
Case Study 2:Blood Brothers
1.5 The Impact ofOliver!
1.6 AfterJesus Christ Superstar: Globalization and Cultural Specificity
Case Study 3:Billy Elliot
1.7 Global and Local: The Family Musical
Case Study 4:Matilda  The Musical

Part II: British Popular Culture and Musical Theatre (Millie Taylor)
2.1 Nostalgia in Character and Dramatic Form
Case Study 5:Oh What a Lovely War!
2.2 Reflecting Multiculturalism
Case l0