Birth of the Kitchen Sink Drama


The postwar British theatre did not refl ect the majority of the population. “Drawing room plays” and “well-made plays” dominated the stage and focused on the wealthy upper class. As British culture responded to societal changes, government reform, Americanization, and mass culture, the theatre also began to adapt.


The Royal Court Theatre opened in 1956 with Look Back in Anger as its fi rst production. Artistic Director George Devine believed that the play “captured the anger and frustration of the younger generation in the 1950s.” As the Royal Court established itself, its plays “challenged the social and political conventions of the time, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable.” Through these artistic ventures, the Royal Court established itself as Britain’s fi rst national theatre company and helped abolish censorship of British theatre.


Charlotte Parry. Photo by Joan Marcus.


Language of Time and Place


AGE OF CHIVALRY ART OF FUGUE BLIMEY BLOODY BOYO CHAP DIGS


DULLIN’ FLAT GATECRASH GO TO THE PICTURES HIPPODROME


MARQUESS OF QUEENSBERRY MARCHBANKS MAGISTRATE MARGE MATELOT MELLERDY MORRIS DANCE NINEPENCE NOM DE PLUME POSH POPLAR QUEUE TIDDLY RANDY RUBBISH SIN-JOBBER SLOSH SWEET-STALL TUPPENCE VAUGHAN WILLIAMS YOBS


a time of courtesy and generosity an unfi nished work by Johann Sebastian Bach used to express excitement or alarm a intensifi er to a word, used as a swear word boy or lad


an endearing term for man place of residence darling


apartment


to get into a party or event without payment or invitation go to the movies


popular theatre of the time formal rules of boxing


a younger man in love with an older woman offi cer of the state margarine a sailor


melody of a song


a form of English folk dance, based on planned rhythmic stepping a coin worth nine pennies pen name elegant


a borough of London line


slightly drunk lustful


garbage or an item with no value someone who uses guilt to infl uence another splash


a cart that sells sweets two pence, equivalent to two pennies


English composer of symphonies, opera, chamber & choral music teenage hooligans


UPSTAGE LOOK BACK IN ANGER 13


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