Tag Archives: Murray Melvin
Othello, Cathedral Wars and the power of a board game
This column first appeared in The Big Issue Magazine: Journalism worth paying for. As autumn closes in and the clocks go back, I crave vintage board games. I have a whole cupboard, where they spill off shelves – the haul … Continue reading
A Smashing Time: Murray Melvin on busting taboos in the 60s
This is one of the most read pieces on my website but the link had stopped working so I’ve re-posted it here. The interview is still available to listen on the iplayer One to One link just below. For the … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Film, Media, Radio, Theatre, Uncategorized
Tagged 60s, A Taste of Honey, Alfie, cinema, culture, Damn The Defiant, Dirk Bogarde, elitism, FTW, HMS Defiant, Joan Littlewood, Ken Russell, kitchen sink drama, michael caine, Murray Melvin, oliver reed, Rita Tushingham, The Devils, Theatre Royal Stratford
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First World War: Myth or Misbegotten Shambles?
“This official UK £2 coin remembers one of the most significant moments in British history with a design that recalls the spirit, and with hindsight, the poignancy, of the rush to enlist encouraged by Lord Kitchener. This £2 coin, a … Continue reading
Pink Flamingos, red poppies & the fine art of causing offence
I have been pre-occupied with offence these past few weeks. Preparing to interview the Pope of Trash (copyright William Burroughs) ahead of his Nov 8th appearance at Liverpool’s Homotopia festival, I have been starting each day with a John Waters film. … Continue reading
Posted in Comedy, Culture, Film, History, Media, Politics, Radio, Theatre, War
Tagged advertising, Field Marshall, First World War, Home Office, immigration, John Waters, Murray Melvin, Pink Flamingos, Waterboarding
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Oh What A Lovely War Commemoration!
Recently the Prime Minister spoke of his hopes that events to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War would be a “commemoration that, like the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, says something about who we are as … Continue reading
Posted in Comedy, History, Media, Music, Politics, Radio, Theatre, Uncategorized, War
Tagged 1963, 60s, BBC, culture, David Cameron, David Kynaston, elitism, Erica Whyman, Field Marshall Haig, First World War, Joan Littlewood, Michael Billington, Murray Melvin, Oh What A Lovely War!, politics, satire, Theatre Royal Stratford, war
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A Smashing Time: Murray Melvin on busting taboos in the 60s
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
Posted in Culture, Film, Radio, Theatre, Uncategorized
Tagged 60s, Alfie, cinema, culture, Dirk Bogarde, film, HMS Defiant, Joan Littlewood, Ken Russell, kitchen sink drama, michael caine, Murray Melvin, Stanley Kubrick, The Devils, Theatre Royal Stratford, Victim
2 Comments
A Taste Of Honey: 50 years on
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
Posted in Children, Culture, Film, Theatre, Uncategorized
Tagged 60s, A Taste of Honey, cinema, culture, Doctor Who, elitism, film, kitchen sink drama, Murray Melvin, Rita Tushingham, Shelagh Delaney, Smashing Time, Theatre Royal Stratford, Torchwood
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