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Old Time Variety, An Illustrated History by Richard Anthony Baker

As one of the richest sources of diversion for the people of Britain between the end of the First World War and the 1960s, the variety theatre emerged from the embers of music hall, a vulgar and rumbustious entertainment that had held the working classes in thrall since the 1840s.  Music hall bosses decided they would do better business if a man going to theatres on his own could take his wife and children with him, knowing they would hear or see nothing that would scandalise them.  So, variety, a gentler, less red-blooded entertainment was gradually established.

• Describes in detail the birth of variety theatre
• Details the most famous and established acts such as Max Miller, who was renowned for being risqué and Gracie Fields, a well-known singer and comedienne
• Describes each new threat to the theatre including radio, the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and television and details the variety theatre’s eventual demise

256pp, hard-back, 234x156mm, integrated mono images.

Prices: UK £22.50, Europe £27.50, Rest of World £30.00

The Great Carmo

UK £22.50

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Europe £27.50

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Rest of World £30.00

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