1956 and All That: The Making of Modern British Drama (Hardcover)

by Dan Rebellato (Author) "The politics of Look Back in Anger, have generally been characterised as, if not explicitly aligned to one movement or other, defiantly resistant..." (more)
Key Phrases: glass closet, homosexual representation, brave causes, Royal Court, Arts Council, West End (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"[A] fascinating volume... Recommended for upper-division undergraduate and graduate collections." -- Choice - September 1999

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

'Very thought provoking reading' - Maggie B Gale, University of Birmingham

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

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

Very thought provoking reading - Maggie B Gale, University of Birmingham

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

Product Description
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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (February 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415189381
• ISBN-13: 978-0415189385
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,595,417 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars On of the best books on modern British theatre!, March 24, 2005

By	Andrew Eglinton (Tokyo) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: 1956 and All That: The Making of Modern British Drama (Paperback)

An excellent in-depth account and critical analysis of modern British theatre, a derobing of the myths surrounding it's 'revolution' in the 1950's with John Osbourne's play 'Look Back in Anger', and an injection of 'poison' in terms of sexual politics. For me it has also served as a great referential source for British theatre companies, stages and playwrights. I highly recommend this book to anyone who seriously wants to know about modern British theatre.