Talks Subjects

Talks in this section include studies of the origins and spread of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, and a history of the Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace.

A series of talks on the development of British Musical Theatre, including among others the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, Lionel Monckton, Noel Coward and Ivor Novello.  

Topics covered include the history of stage design; the story and origins of that peculiarly British entertainment, pantomime; and a look at seaside entertainment from bathing machines to End of the Pier shows.

Biographies of composers illustrated with both pictures and musical examples.  Composers include Offenbach, Strauss, Sullivan, Sousa and Lehar.

Two series of talks that look at the origins and rise of French and Viennese operetta, with many sparkling musical examples from operetta's golden age.

Includes general histories of trams and other forms of transport, as well as histories of particular systems, such as the cable cars of San Francisco and the famous yellow trams of Lisbon.