Description
Book Synopsisa wonderfully scholarly, readable and useful treat on the perils of labelling culture.' Helen Lederer, Comedienne What is Counterculture? It''s an alternative lifestyle The ideas that spark a revolution A movement that changes the worldThe first comprehensive exploration of counterculture in the UK from Asian arts to alternative comedy, from Gay Lib to eco-warriors, from punk to Feminism and much much more: this new collection of essays celebrates the incredible originality of British post-war culture. British art, film, theatre, dance, literature and music have attracted international recognition from the Angry Young Men to the Sex Pistols to Grayson Perry. Now gaming, the internet and social media enable creative communities to flourish and either fight for social justice or just be entertained. Can we find the creative inspiration to succeed in a post-capitalist future?
Trade Review‘Informative and entertaining, this provides a whipsmart and affectionate analysis of a subculture that stands at a critical point.’ Jonathan Hatfull, SciFi Now Magazine ‘Oughton delivers a thorough contemporary investigation into the cult movie-going scene... with the passion and knowledge of a genuine insider...’ Marcus Campbell Sinclair, theatre and film producer ‘Susan Murray’s insightful overview of the alternative comedy scene is both informative and illuminating, shining a bright light on one of the UK’s most important cultural movements in the late 20th Century.’ Bruce Dessau, British arts critic
Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 7 Rebecca Gillieron and Cheryl Robson 1. ART 16 How the Rebels Got Rich Mark Sheerin, arts journalist and blogger 2. BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC ARTS 38 Whose Voice is it Anyway? Coco Khan, writer and culture editor 3. COMEDY 52 The Changing Landscape of Comedy Susan Murray, comedienne and MC for two of east London’s best comedy clubs 4. DANCE 75 Anarchy from the Margins and Free Expression Mark Edward, performance artist and writer 5. DISABILITY ARTS AND ACTIVISM 95 Subversion within the Secluded – A Personal Journey Penny Pepper, performance artist and activist 6. ENVIRONMENTALISM 107 A Way of Life Paul Quinn, writer and editor 7. FEMINISM 128 Feminist Activism and its Achievements so Far Hayley Foster Da Silva, digital broadcaster, F-word contributor and spiritual healer 8. FILM 147 Beyond the Mainstream: Counterculture Cinema Ellen Cheshire, writer and lecturer specialising in film, TV, media and cultural studies Subversive Cinema: Cult Film and the Rise of Film Fan Communities Dr K. Charlie Oughton, academic and author 9. GAMING AND THE INTERNET 187 Online Culture Leaking Offline Simon Smith, editor and software technical writer 10. LGBT CULTURE 200 What’s Wrong with Being a Freak Anyway? Jack Bright, freelance writer and editor of various LGBT publications 11. LITERATURE 214 Underground Publishing: Blast and Bless Ben Graham, author, music critic and poet 13. MUSIC 239 Mainstream Countercultures: The Ultimate Mix Em Ayson, freelance writer and cultural commentator 12. NEGATIVE SPACE 257 Subculture in Boom-time London Tim Burrows, writer, editor and musician 14. THEATRE 271 A Radical Loosening of the Fabric of Drama: Countercultural Performance from the 1960s to Contemporary Experimental Theatre Dr Tim Garrett, academic and journal editor 15. YOUTUBE AND SOCIAL MEDIA 296 New Media: YouTube and Online Broadcasting Bella Qvist, freelance journalist, editor and blogger ENDNOTES 318 INDEX 332
