Author Description
From Gilbert and Sullivan to Andrew Lloyd Webber, from Julie Andrews to Hugh Jackman, from Half a Sixpence to Matilda, Pick a Pocket Or Two is the story of the British musical: where it began and how it developed. 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.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical development and distinct cultural identity of the British musical theatre tradition from the eighteenth century to the modern era. Author Ethan Mordden, a recognized historian of the musical theatre form, utilizes a blend of archival research and anecdotal narrative to argue that British musicals prioritize the preservation of social order, contrasting them with the ambition-driven narratives typical of American musical theatre. The text provides a critical framework for understanding how British stage productions reflect societal values and class dynamics over three centuries.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological survey of British musical theatre from The Beggar's Opera (1728) to contemporary productions like Matilda.
- Comparative analysis between British and American musical theatre models.
- Biographical sketches of key figures including W. S. Gilbert, Ivor Novello, and C. B. Cochran.
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 serving as a purely objective encyclopedic reference.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Readers frequently note the author's distinct, opinionated voice and his ability to synthesize complex historical trends into accessible prose. Scholars and enthusiasts alike recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of musical theatre history, particularly for its focus on the cultural underpinnings of the British stage.
Page Count:
244
Publication Date:
2021-01-01
ISBN-10:
0190877979
ISBN-13:
9780190877972
History
Humanities
British Culture
Musical theatre
Special Topics
Criticism history
Music History