Drag - A British History

"Drag: A British History is a foundational work. It tells a great story, commands a wide array of sources, and maintains a clear sense of purpose. Drag is of significant value to theater history, British studies, and cultural studies of drag."—Lisa Sigel, author of The People's Porn: A History of Handmade Pornography in America  

"This first sustained and systematic academic history of drag in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Britain is written with a clear sense of how drag's nature, reception, and regulation have changed radically over time and have varied dramatically depending on its content and location. A wonderful read that has the potential to make a real impact on academic and nonacademic audiences alike."—Matt Houlbrook, author of Queer London: Perils and Pleasures in the Sexual Metropolis, 1918–1957 

"Erudite and extraordinarily informative, this is also an incredible read. Jacob Bloomfield's deep dive into the unfolding cavalcade of nineteenth- and twentieth-century theatrical history, queer cultures, evolving understandings of sex and gender, and the emotional thrill of masquerade is intellectually vibrant and compelling. A must-read for fans of drag, queer historians, and mavens of popular culture."—Michael Bronski, author of A Queer History of the United States 

"Bloomfield's meticulously researched and beautifully written history of British drag is a joy to read, illuminating, contextualizing, and, indeed, rescuing this neglected strand of sexual and cultural history."—Neil McKenna, author of Fanny and Stella: The Young Men Who Shocked Victorian England

About the author

Jacob Bloomfield is Zukunftskolleg Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Konstanz and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent. His research is situated primarily in the fields of cultural history, the history of sexuality, and gender history. He is currently working on a book about the historical reception to musician Little Richard in the United States and Europe.

Product details

• Authors: Jacob Bloomfield
• Publisher: University Of California Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 13.09.2024
• EAN: 9780520409651
• ISBN: 978-0-520-40965-1
• No. of pages: 272
• Series: Berkeley Series in British Studies
• Subjects: Guides > Health; Humanities, art, music > Art > Theatre, ballet; European History, 20th Century, HISTORY / World, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, PERFORMING ARTS / Theater / General, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / 20th Century, General & world history, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Theatre Studies, British & Irish history, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Gay & Lesbian studies, General and world history, SOCIAL SCIENCE / LGBTQ+ Studies / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / LGBTQ+ Studies / Transgender Studies, LGBTQ+ Studies / topics, Gender studies: transgender & intersex