The idea came from plans to celebrate the midpoint of the century and at the same time the centenary of the Great Exhibition (of arts and merchandise) in 1851 to show the whole world Britain’s wealth and power. It was a time when Britain had begun to over come the consequences of World War II. The Festival was a symbol of hope for the whole nation and marked the end of austerity and the beginning of wealth. The Royal Festival Hall is on the south bank of the River Thames. It was constructed for the Festival in Britain, opened in 1951 and seats nearly 3000 people. A lot of concerts with international orchestras but also literary works are performed in this concert hall and a lot of exhibitions take place in this building.
The Festival of Britain 1951 and The Royal Festival Hall are mentioned in Hare’s play “Plenty” ( further information on David Hare: view presentation).
Scene four of the play takes the audience to the Festival of Britain. This scene takes place on May 4, 1951, the opening day of
the Festival. The Festival was a celebration of the midpoint of the new century and of the centenary of the Great Exhibition in 1851. The author describes the celebratory fireworks of the Festival. At the opening night Susan and Mick stand talking about having a child and look across the Thames.
The Festival “was a vast sprawl of exhibits covering 27 acres on the South Bank, including the newly opened Festival Hall 3 and the area where the National Theatre now stands.”
Table of Contents
1) From the Bomb to the Beatles
2) The Festival of Britain 1951
3) Notting Hill (film and script, 1999); To Sir, With Love by E.R. Braithwaite
4) The War Game by Peter Watkins
5) The Trial of Lady Chatterley, ed. C.H.Rolph:
6) Jacob Epstein (1880-1959)
7) Diana Dors (1931-1984)
8) Buddy Holly (1936-1959)
9) Quadrophenia (1979) with The Who (film set in 1960s)
10) Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
11) Poor Cow (1967), film by Ken Loach
12) St. Ives School of Painting
13) Paperback Writer (pop song by The Beatles)
14) The Uses of Literacy (1957), by Richard Hoggart
15) Scandal (film, 1991) based on the life of Christine Keeler
16) The Open University (brochures)
17) Satire boom (TW3; Monty Python; etc)
18) The Millstone, novel by Margaret Drabble
19) Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (album cover by Peter Blake)
20) Satisfaction (1965), The Rolling Stones:
21) Dedicated Follower of Fashion (1966), The Kinks
Objectives and Topics
This portfolio provides a cultural and social overview of post-war Britain, examining key artistic, political, and social developments from 1945 to the 1970s through a curated collection of media, literature, and historical artifacts.
- Cultural transformation and the shift from post-war austerity to prosperity.
- The evolution of British film, music, and performing arts in the 1960s.
- Social and political critiques expressed through theatre and literature.
- The impact of counterculture, youth movements, and changing lifestyle trends.
- Representations of working-class life and the influence of mass media.
Excerpt from the Book
Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
John Osborne was born in 1929 and brought up during the depression in London. He began acting in 1948 and his stage experience turned out to be very useful when writing his own plays. He wrote “Look Back in Anger”, one of his chief plays, in 1956. It’s a traditional realistic-naturalistic play in three acts. “It is set in a slovenly attic flat rather than a middle-class drawing room This represented a major shift in English drama, the discovery of a new world that had been there all the time under the surface.”
He attacks the establishment and show his disappointment in the political development, and in events like the Suez crisis, atomic bombs. Jimmy an educated young man criticises the parents of his wife, Alison, because of their upper-class style of life. Alison’s father - a Colonel serving in India after World War I until India’s independence- stands for the values of the Empire and he is “hurt because everything is changed (…whereas…) Jimmy is hurt because everything is the same.”
Summary of Chapters
From the Bomb to the Beatles: An exploration of Britain's social and cultural transition from the ruins of WWII to the mid-sixties.
The Festival of Britain 1951: Details the mid-century celebratory event that marked the nation’s recovery and hope for the future.
Notting Hill; To Sir, With Love: Discusses literary and cinematic representations of social challenges, including racial tension and classroom discipline.
The War Game: Analyzes Peter Watkins' controversial pseudo-documentary about nuclear conflict and its political implications.
The Trial of Lady Chatterley: Examines the life of C.H. Rolph and the shifting legal battles regarding obscenity laws.
Jacob Epstein: Highlights the career of the influential sculptor who challenged Edwardian taboos.
Diana Dors: Profiles the iconic actress who transitioned from "bombshell" roles to gritty, realistic performances.
Buddy Holly: Discusses the impact of the musician on the Rock'n'Roll genre despite his short-lived career.
Quadrophenia: Explores the youth subcultures of the 1960s, specifically the conflict between the Mods and the Rockers.
Look Back in Anger: Reviews the pivotal play by John Osborne that challenged the British social establishment.
Poor Cow: Focuses on Ken Loach’s naturalistic depiction of single motherhood and working-class life in 1960s London.
St. Ives School of Painting: Chronicles the artistic community and the transition toward abstract and constructivist art.
Paperback Writer: Uses a Beatles song to reflect on the commercialization of writing and the music industry.
The Uses of Literacy: References Richard Hoggart’s significant contribution to cultural studies.
Scandal: Reviews the film depicting the political fallout of the Profumo affair in the context of the Cold War.
The Open University: Outlines the development of accessible, remote higher education in Britain.
Satire boom: Details the rise of political comedy and irreverent wit in the 1960s, featuring groups like Monty Python.
The Millstone: Mentions Margaret Drabble's literary work as a reflection of its time.
Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band: Analyzes the Beatles' shift towards concept albums and serious thematic content.
Satisfaction: Explores how the Rolling Stones used music to critique consumerism and media-driven reality.
Dedicated Follower of Fashion: Discusses the Kinks' critique of 1960s consumer culture and the obsession with changing trends.
Keywords
Post-war Britain, 1960s Culture, Social Change, British Film, Rock'n'Roll, Satire, Mod Subculture, Kitchen Sink Drama, Cold War, Consumerism, Modern Art, Literature, Establishment Critique, Counterculture, British Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this portfolio?
This work explores the cultural and social changes in Britain from 1945 through the 1970s, using a collection of key creative and social artifacts to illustrate the era.
What central themes are explored?
The core themes include the transition from austerity to prosperity, the impact of the Cold War, the rise of youth subcultures, and the critical role of art and media in shaping societal consciousness.
What is the main objective of the analysis?
The goal is to analyze how cultural products like music, film, and plays served as mirrors and critics of the changing political and social landscape in Britain.
Which methodologies are employed in this study?
The work utilizes historical context, critical reviews, and cultural analysis of specific primary sources (films, song lyrics, books, and exhibitions) to document trends.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The body contains 21 distinct entries, each focusing on a specific person, event, or piece of media that defined a particular moment in post-war British history.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include British identity, post-war transformation, social critique, 1960s counterculture, and the influence of music and film on societal norms.
How does the work explain the shift in British drama during the 1950s?
It highlights plays like John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" as a catalyst for a shift toward "kitchen sink" realism, which favored depictions of real-world struggle over traditional middle-class themes.
What is the significance of the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper" album in this context?
The album is identified as an "earthshaking" concept work that shifted musical focus toward more intellectual, complex themes, thereby challenging the traditional pop audience.
How does the film "Poor Cow" contribute to our understanding of the 1960s?
It provides a raw, documentary-style look at the challenges faced by underprivileged working-class individuals and single mothers, contrasting with the glamorous image of "swinging London."
- Quote paper
- MMag. Dr. Sabine Picout (Author), 2004, British Culture since 1945 Part III , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/189973
