Special interest Days

Art Nouveau and Art Deco

From its origins in the Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau developed in the 1890s as an attempt to produce something new, and not copied from the past as most Victorian architecture had been. In the early 20th century it evolved into Art Deco, the brilliant and colourful style of the "Jazz Age" which swept the world. We look at how this all happened, and the influence that Art Deco in particular still exerts today.

Choose two of the lectures from the Architecture page for a half day, or three for a full day.

British Musical Theatre from Gilbert and Sullivan to Andrew Lloyd Webber

We look at how foreign influences have shaped British theatre for over 120 years. Gilbert & Sullivan developed their distinctive style as a typically English response to the frivolities of French operetta. In the Edwardian period "musical comedy" arose to challenge traditional operetta, and in the 20th century it was imported American shows that gave rise to the modern musical. All these developments are illustrated with many musical examples.

Choose any two lectures from the Musical Theatre page for a half day. A full day will feature the complete story in three lectures.

The Golden Age of Operetta

Operetta developed in Paris in the mid 19th Century as a lighter alternative to traditional opera, and it was Jacques Offenbach above all who did most to establish the new genre. This new form of entertainment was then taken up elsewhere, in England and especially Vienna, until the influence of American music led to its decline. In three lectures we look at French, English and Viennese operetta, in a day filled with delightful music.

Gilbert, Sullivan and the Savoy Tradition

W.S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan both had successful careers of their own before, during and after their famous partnership. In three lectures we consider each of their lives and work separately, followed by a look at their astonishingly successful collaboration. Illustrated with musical examples.

Art and Illusion - Stage Scenery from Sophocles to Spiderman

The history of stage design, told from the viewpoint of a former professional set designer. In a two-lecture half day, we look at how design was revolutionised by such innovations as the introduction of perspective in the 16th century and electric light in the 19th. We conclude with a practical demonstration of simple stage illusion painting.

(This is an expanded version of the single lecture - see Theatre page)

NOTE: All musical biographies on the Composers page are also available in expanded versions as 2-lecture half days.

Other combinations of lectures to make special interest days can be put together on request.