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--
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical evolution and distinct thematic identity of the British musical theater tradition from the 18th century to the modern era. Author Ethan Mordden, a recognized historian of the musical form, utilizes a comparative framework to contrast British theatrical sensibilities with the American model. He argues that while American musicals often center on themes of individual ambition and social mobility, British works frequently emphasize the maintenance or restoration of social order.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological survey of British musical theater from The Beggar's Opera in 1728 to contemporary productions.
- Comparative analysis between British social-order narratives and American ambition-based storytelling.
- Biographical sketches of influential 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 record.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and readers frequently note the author's distinct, opinionated prose style which prioritizes narrative flair alongside historical fact. Scholars of the performing arts often cite this work as a useful resource for understanding the cultural divergence between British and American musical theater traditions.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
2021-01-01
ISBN-10:
0190877960
ISBN-13:
9780190877965
Music
History
Theater
British Culture