Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty much definitive and a cracking good read, 21 Dec 2000
By A Customer
Mark Steyn's look at the history of the musical is a fascinating book because it is written both with the head and from the heart. It's undeniably biased (he makes no pretence of that) but that's because it is written with a real passion about a subject that he truly loves, which also makes it a very witty and deceptively easy read. It's divided into two halves. The first part deals with the mechanics of the musical: book, lyrics, music etc whilst the second is an examination of its place in our culture, with reference to the key `players': Kern, Hammerstein, Sondheim, Lloyd Webber etc. It has snappy chapter titles and a good index which makes it easy for references. Indeed, it's a book I come back to time and again. Occasionally his enthusiasms or dislikes get the better of him and spill over too subjectively - you will be left in no doubt of his feelings about the work of Lloyd Webber and Sondheim from his extremely cutting remarks - but he ultimately does give a very fair analysis. More importantly he is also a passionately political writer, who obviously believes the Arts to be an integral part of our society and our lives; there to question and challenge, but also all too often symptomatic of deeper problems. Although the first chapters tend to be repetitive, this is a well-written and highly engaging book, which deserves to be read by everyone - and particularly by those who think they have no interest in the musical or in the imnportance of the arts in Britain and America today.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
With so many out there, this is the one to go for., 2 April 2003
I'm currently writing a thesis on Musical Theatre. Won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say that I've read dozens of books, articles, essays and journals about the form, content, composers, lyrcists, styles, developments etc etc. I've also listens to what seems like hundreds of soundtracks and about as many stage and screen productions too. I'm tired.Mark Steyn's book made it worthwhile. Subjective, yes - highly so. Witty, pun-loaded, and irreverent - absolutely. Insightful, passionate, inspired, well-structured - check. This book is absolutely essential reading for anyone with even a passing interest in musical theatre/theatre/drama/songwriting/the arts/showbusiness. Even if you don't, it's a really good read - well-paced, snappy and easily digestible. Buy this book immediately. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book on musicals I have ever read, 30 Jun 1999
By A Customer
Funny, (with some terrible jokes), intelligent and devastatingly accurate in his analysis of the Broadway musical and how Lloyd Webber has taken the form back 100 years to operetta. He also knows his music well enough to make occasional comment on the structure of individual songs. Occasionally gets the wrong end of the stick, for example he writes "flatball change" instead of "flap, ball-change" when quoting Tommy Tune on tap-dancing but that is the only criticism I have of an otherwise brilliant book. I was sad to finish it and have already ordered his next one "Musicals" which will be out in paperback at the end of the year.
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