This thesis addresses pre-existing assumptions surrounding the material, popularity and success of the Victorian music-hall serio-comedienne. The field of music-hall and performance studies is constantly developing new techniques through which to view and assess archived materials. However, the immediacy of theatre and performance makes this a complex and ever-evolving methodology, and one that is based on subjective sources. This study seeks: to create a new, multidisciplinary archival methodology through which to reignite, reimagine. and reclaim the careers of two popular, yet under researched serio-comediennes: Jenny Hill (1849-1896) and Bessie Bellwood (1856-1896). At the centre of this methodology are my own recordings of Hill's: and Bellwood's published sheet music through which I aim to bring. the text from the page back to the stage. These recordings are informed by the analysis of sheet music, reviews, interviews and music-hall venues, all of which are contextualised within a discussion of social history. Chapter one introduces Hill and Bellwood and traces the ways, in which they engaged with the press, and. advertising in order to construct an appealing public image. Chapter two then traces the development of their repertoires, pinpointing what themes were particularly characteristic of their styles and the ways these themes balanced with their off-stage images. Chapters three and four then provide in-depth analysts and recordings of six pieces of sheet music in order to further probe what it was that made Hill and Bellwood appealing to their audiences, and assess to what extent sheet music can be trusted as. a source through, which to represent a performer's repertoire., Through this investigation, I will examine how using this multidisciplinary approach can provide an original lens through which to rediscover both the material and appeal of popular performers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:702181 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Wingrove, Louise |
| Publisher | University of Bristol |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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