Tag Archives: kitchen sink drama

Billy Liar, Bradford and the birth of the dollybird

Posted on May 1, 2013 by samiraahmed

“A lazy, irresponsible young clerk in provincial Northern England lives in his own fantasy world and makes emotionally immature decisions as he alienates friends and family.” Everyone loves Billy Liar. Apart from whoever wrote imdb’s current bizarrely censorious plot summary … Continue reading →

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Poor Cows and Angry Young Men: 50 years of Kitchen Sink Drama

Posted on January 24, 2013 by samiraahmed

The director Ken Loach and the theatre critic Michael Billington remember the dawn of the 60s well. “The 50s weren’t bleak and depressing,” spluttered Loach, listening to art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston explain the grim postwar era that spawned the new … Continue reading →

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In Hulme: a stately Hippodrome decree’d

Posted on July 1, 2012 by samiraahmed

There is a grand Victorian theatre house where Laurel and Hardy once performed, Nina Simone sang and the Beatles made their first radio recording. If it were in Stratford-Upon-Avon or central London, the rich paintwork and red plush seats and … Continue reading →

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A Smashing Time: Murray Melvin on busting taboos in the 60s

Posted on March 27, 2012 by samiraahmed

For the third of my One to Ones for Radio 4 I wanted a Missing Angle on the golden age of British theatre and cinema — from the late 50s to the early 70s. You can listen to it here. … Continue reading →

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A Taste Of Honey: 50 years on

Posted on November 3, 2011 by samiraahmed

I’m an extraordinary person! There’s only one of me, like there’s only one of you. We’re unique! Young! Unrivalled! Smashing! Bloody marvellous!” (Jo and Geoff in A Taste of Honey)  ”Now? We’d probably have to make it via reality TV.” … Continue reading →

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The Girl From The Black Country: An interview with Julie Walters

Posted on February 5, 2011 by samiraahmed

It could be the plot of a film. The working class girl from the small town who became a big star, goes home. One of Britain’s most renowned actors, 7-time BAFTA winning, 2-time Oscar nominated  Julie Walters, has  just done … Continue reading →

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