Theatre in the Chocolate Factory: Performance at Cadbury's Bournville, 1900-1935

Cadbury's factory in Bournville, UK, was a hub of creativity in the early twentieth century, with employees participating in recreational and educational activities and factory theatre performances involving tens of thousands of employees. This interdisciplinary study uncovers the stories of Bournville's theatre and the employees who made it, considering ground-breaking approaches to mental and physical health and education.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 13 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Catherine Hindson delves into the creative essence of Cadbury's early twentieth-century operations, shedding light on the vibrant world of factory theatre that thrived within the company. Guided by Quaker Capitalism, employees at Bournville engaged in recreational and educational activities, fostering a fertile environment for imagination to flourish. Amidst this harmonious blend of work and play, the remarkable phenomenon of factory theatre emerged, captivating tens of thousands of employees as performers and spectators. The theatre's repertoire included performances and productions that seamlessly integrated industrialists, civic leaders, playwrights, academics, town planners, and celebrities, creating a rich tapestry of interconnections between the city's theatrical and visual arts, national entertainment cultures, and the workplace. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this study uncovers the captivating stories of Bournville's theatre and the dedicated employees who brought it to life. It explores groundbreaking approaches to mental and physical health, education, and the fusion of industry and the arts, offering a fresh perspective on industrialism and its historical significance.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 157 x 236 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009271882