Author Description
In Pick A Pocket Or Two, Acclaimed Author Ethan Mordden Brings His Wit And Wisdom To Bear In Telling The Full History Of The British Musical, From The Beggar's Opera (1728) To The Present, With An Interest In Isolating The Unique Qualities Of The Form And Its Influence On The American Model. To Place A Very Broad Generalization, The American Musical Is Regarded As Largely About Ambition Fulfilled, Whereas The British Musical Is About Social Order. Oklahoma!'s Curly Wins The Heart Of The Farmer Laurey--or, In Other Words, The Cowboy Becomes A Landowner, Establishing A Truce Between The Freelancers On Horseback And The Ruling Class. Half A Sixpence, On The Other Hand, Finds A Working-class Boy Coming Into A Fortune And Losing It To Fancy Dans, Whereupon He Is Reunited With His Working-class Sweetheart, His Modest Place In The Social Order Affirmed. Anecdotal And Evincing A Strong Point Of View, The Book Covers Not Only The Shows And Their Authors But The Personalities As Well--w. S. Gilbert Trying Out His Stagings On A Toy Theatre, Ivor Novello Going To Jail For Abusing Wartime Gas Rationing During World War Ii, Fabled Producer C. B. Cochran Coming To A Most Shocking Demise For A Man Whose Very Name Meant Classy, Carefree Entertainment. Unabashedly Opinionated And An Excellent Stylist, Author Ethan Mordden Provokes As Much As He Pleases. Mordden Is The Preeminent Historian Of The Form, And His Book Will Be Required Reading For Readers Of All Walks, From The Most Casual Of Musical Theater Goers To Musical Theater Buffs To Students And Scholars Of The Form-- Provided By Publisher.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical development and unique cultural characteristics of the British musical theater tradition from the 18th century to the present. Ethan Mordden, a recognized historian of the musical theater form, utilizes a blend of archival research and anecdotal analysis to contrast the British tradition with its American counterpart. He argues that while the American musical often centers on themes of individual ambition and social mobility, the British musical frequently reinforces established social order and class structures.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A comprehensive historical timeline starting from The Beggar's Opera in 1728.
- Comparative analysis between British and American musical theater frameworks.
- Biographical sketches of key figures including W. S. Gilbert, Ivor Novello, and C. B. Cochran.
- Contextual examination of how wartime conditions and social shifts impacted theatrical production.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive catalog of every minor production in British history.
- The analysis is filtered through the author's specific critical perspective rather than a purely objective encyclopedic survey.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Readers frequently note the author's strong, opinionated voice and his ability to synthesize complex historical trends into accessible prose. Experts highlight this work as a significant contribution to the study of musical theater, particularly for its focus on the distinct cultural identity of the British stage.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
2021-01-01
ISBN-10:
0190877987
ISBN-13:
9780190877989
Music
Non-Fiction
Theater History
British Musical