1956 and All That: The Making of Modern British Drama

by Dan Rebellato

Overview

It is said that British Drama was shockingly lifted out of the doldrums by the 'revolutionary' appearance of John Osborne's Look Back in Anger at the Royal Court in May 1956. But had the theatre been as ephemeral and effeminate as the Angry Young Men claimed? Was the era of Terence Rattigan and 'Binkie' Beaumont as repressed and closeted as it seems?
In this bold and fascinating challenge to the received wisdom of the last forty years of theatrical history, Dan Rebellato uncovers a different story altogether. It is one where Britain's declining Empire and increasing panic over the 'problem' of homosexuality played a crucial role in the construction of an enduring myth of the theatre. By going back to primary sources and rigorously questioning all assumptions, Rebellato has rewritten the history of the Making of Modern British Drama.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134657827
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/11/2002
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
File size:	746 KB

About the Author

Rebellato, Dan

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 ‘Why should I care?’: the politics of vital theatre 2 The new Elizabethans: the docile bodies of funding 3 A writer’s theatre: the professionalisation of the playwright 4 Oh for empty seats: the Royal Court and its audiences 5 Something English: the repatriation of European drama 6 Something (un)spoken: quoting, queers, and the fear of theatre 7 Sister Mary Discipline: growing up straight at the Royal Court

Editorial Reviews

'This well-written book provides an important interpretive challenge, which both postgraduates and discerning undergraduates should find useful.' - New Theatre Quarterly

'[Rebellato] brilliantly records the experience of the Lord Chamberlain's office at attempts to subvert its homophobic, censorious power ' - Michael Billington, The Guardian

'...very though provoking reading' - Maggie B Gale, University of Birmingham

From the Publisher