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    Pick a Pocket Or Two: A History of British Musical Theatre

    Pick a Pocket Or Two by Mordden, Ethan;

    A History of British Musical Theatre

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      • Publisher's listprice GBP 28.99
      • The price is estimated because at the time of ordering we do not know what conversion rates will apply to HUF / product currency when the book arrives. In case HUF is weaker, the price increases slightly, in case HUF is stronger, the price goes lower slightly.

        13 088 Ft (12 465 Ft + 5% VAT)
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      • Discounted price 10 471 Ft (9 972 Ft + 5% VAT)
      • Discount is valid until: 30 June 2026

    13 088 Ft

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    Estimated delivery time: In stock at the publisher, but not at Prospero's office. Delivery time approx. 3-5 weeks.
    Not in stock at Prospero.

    Why don't you give exact delivery time?

    Delivery time is estimated on our previous experiences. We give estimations only, because we order from outside Hungary, and the delivery time mainly depends on how quickly the publisher supplies the book. Faster or slower deliveries both happen, but we do our best to supply as quickly as possible.

    Product details:

    • Publisher OUP USA
    • Date of Publication 11 November 2021

    • ISBN 9780190877958
    • Binding Hardback
    • No. of pages248 pages
    • Size 166x244x27 mm
    • Weight 503 g
    • Language English
    • Illustrations 25 illustrations
    • 145

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    Short 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.

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    Long 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.

    The volume is meticulously researched, well organized, and eminently useful. It is highly recommended.

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    Table of Contents:

    1. Beginnings: In the Days of My Youth
    2. G & S: Our Loving Frivoliyt
    3. Toy Town: The Edwardian Musical
    4. Charleston Mad: The 1910s and 1920s
    5. And then a Violin Began to Play: Ivor Novello
    6. Dancing with a Ghost: The 1930s and 1940s
    7. Imagine the Duchess' Feelings: No--l Coward
    8. It's Sort of Romantic: The 1950s
    9. Behind the Times: Sandy Wilson and Julian Slade
    10. Sweep My Off My Feet: The 1960s
    11. The Little Things We Used to Do: The 1970s and 1980s
    12. To Love Another Person is to See the Face of God: Pop Opera
    13. With One Look I'll Be May: Andrew Lloyd Webber
    14. A Little Bit Naughty: The Last Thirty Years
    Discography
    Bibliography
    Index

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