National Identity and the British Musical by Grace Barnes - 9781350243576

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

National Identity and the British MusicalFrom Blood Brothers to Cinderella\nAuthor(s): Grace Barnes\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, United Kingdom\nImprint: Methuen Drama\nISBN-13: 9781350243576, 978-1350243576\nSynopsis\nNational Identity and the British Musical: From Blood Brothers to Cinderella examines the myths associated with national identity which are reproduced by the British musical and asks why the genre continues to uphold, instead of challenging, outdated ideals. All too often, UK musicals reinforce national identity clichs and caricatures, conflate England with Britain and depict a mono-cultural nation viewed through a nostalgic lens.\n\nThrough case studies and analysis of British musicals such as Blood Brothers, Six, Half a Sixpence and Billy Elliot, this book examines the place of the British musical within a text-based theatrical heritage and asks what, or whose, Britain is being represented by home grown musicals. The sheer number of peop?