Episode 123: National Identity and the British Musicals, part 2

Today’s episode is the second half of my recent discussion with author Grace Barnes whose fascinating new book it titled: National Identity and the British Musical — From Blood Brothers to Cinderella. In this conversation we explore how British national identity has, and often has not, been dramatized in British musical theater, and among the topics that we discuss are the musicals Blood Brothers, Mama Mia, Billy Elliott, The Last Ship, Bend It Like Beckham, and the current smash hit SIX, and, of course, the tremendous impact and domination that the mega musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh have had on the British musical theatre industry. We also discuss why UK critics so seldom give any serious consideration to musical theater , the near complete absence of female voices in British musical theater, and the future of British musicals. Grace Barnes is an independent scholar, director, and playwright who has worked as an associate and resident director on productions of My Fair Lady, Fiddler On the Roof, Into The Woods, Sunset Blvd, The Witches of Eastwick, Martin Guerre, West Side Story, and Guys And Dolls in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. She has a PhD from the University of Technology in Sydney and her previous book is titled Her Turn Onstage — The Role Of Women In Musical Theatre. Become a PATRON of Broadway Nation! This episode is made possible in part through the generous support of our Patron Club members including one of our newest members: Lois Hunter. If you would like to help support the work of Broadway Nation I will information at the end of the podcast about how you too can become a Patron. If you are a fan ofBroadway Nation, I invite you too to become a PATRON! For a just $7.00 a month you will receive exclusive access to never-before-heard, unedited versions of many of the discussions that I have with my guests — in fact I often record nearly twice as much conversation as ends up in the edited versions. You will also have access to additional in-depth conversations with my frequent co-host Albert Evans that have not been featured on the podcast. All patrons receive special “on-air” shout-outs and acknowledgement of your vital support of this podcast. And if you are very enthusiastic about Broadway Nation there are additional PATRON levels that come with even more benefits. If you would like to support the work of Broadway Nation and receive these exclusive member benefits, please just click on this link: https://broadwaynationpodcast.supercast.tech/ Thank you in advance for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices