Contemporary British Musicals: 'Out of the Darkness'

<p>The shortest runs can have the longest legacies: for too long scholarship surrounding British musical theatre has coalesced around the biggest names ignoring important works that have not had the critical engagement they deserve. <p/> Through academic interrogation and industry insight this unique collection of essays recognizes these works shining a light on their creative achievements and legacies. With each chapter focusing on a different significant musical a selection of shows spanning 2010s are analysed and the development and evolution of the genre is explored. <p/> Touching on key hit shows such as <i>SIX Matilda Everybody's Talking About Jamie The Grinning Man</i> and <i>Bend it Like Beckham</i> each chapter discusses different theatrical elements from dramaturgy and musicology to reception and also includes an interview with a practitioner related to each musical providing in-depth understanding and invaluable practical and industry knowledge. <p/> Identifying the intersectionality between industry insight and academic analysis <i>Contemporary British Musicals: 'Out of the Darkness'</i> challenges the narrative that the British musical is dead: creating a new historiography of the British musical that celebrates the work being created while providing a manifesto for the future.</p>