THE COFFEE HOUSE - A CULTURAL HISTORY
The seventeenth century coffee house redefined the experience of metropolitan life. It created a distinctive social culture and rapidly became a symbol for freedom of speech. It represented the democratic foundation of the British constitution and was the origin of our notion of public opinion. Its legacy is still visible today - in the modern structure of the stock market; the notion of politeness and etiquette; and the cyber café.
Laurie Taylor is joined by Markman Ellis Reader in 18th Century literature and culture and author of The Coffee House, a cultural history to explore the significance of the 17th century power houses that underpinned culture and encouraged progress and change, and that of the ubiquitous modern day equivalent - the coffee bar chains.
CAMP HUMOUR
Frankie Howerd redefined the art of humour. His stuttering, nervous delivery was a weakness which he turned to great comic effect. This technique dovetailed with his personality and served as a release for him, suiting his general style and sensibility.
In the 1940s camp humour offered comics like Howerd a parodic distance on society, mocking the supposed masculinity of the audience and communicating the secret needs of a gay subculture. It captured the sense of social change and its development since then has signified a loosening up of attitudes towards sexuality.
Laurie Taylor is joined by Graham McCann, author of Frankie Howerd, Stand-Up Comic and Andy Medhurst, lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex.
Additional information:
Markman Ellis
Reader in 18th Century literature and culture at Queen Mary and Westfield college, London
The Coffee House, a cultural history
Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Publisher: Weidenfeld Nicolson Illustrated
ISBN 0297843192
Graham McCann
Frankie Howerd, Stand-Up Comic
Fourth Estate
Publisher: Fourth Estate
ISBN 1841153109
Morecombe and Wise
Publisher: Fourth Estate
ISBN 1857029119
Dad's Army
Publisher: Fourth Estate
ISBN 1841153087
Andy Medhurst
Lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex
A National Joke: Popular Comedy and English Cultural Identities
Publisher: Routledge, an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Lt
ISBN 0415168783
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