British Comedy Guide
What A Performance! Pioneers Of Popular Entertainment. Image shows from L to R: Frank Skinner, Suzy Klein. Copyright: BBC
What A Performance! Pioneers Of Popular Entertainment

What A Performance! Pioneers Of Popular Entertainment

  • TV documentary
  • BBC Four
  • 2015
  • 3 episodes (1 series)

Frank Skinner & Suzy Klein explore the history of British popular entertainment in the 100 years before the arrival of television. Features Frank Skinner and Suzy Klein.

F
X
R
W
E

Key details

Genre
Documentary
Broadcast
2015
Channel
BBC Four
Episodes
3 (1 series)
Features
Frank Skinner and Suzy Klein
Producers
Amy Morgan, Aisling O'Connor, Jamie Isaacs and Claire Whalley
Company

In this thought-provoking series for BBC Four, comedian Frank Skinner and music broadcaster and presenter Suzy Klein explore the history of British popular entertainment in the 100 years before the arrival of television.

From the music halls of the Victorian age to the variety theatres of the 20th century, they uncover what kept us entertained through technological advances, two world wars, and an 'American Invasion'.

In each episode Frank and Suzy not only investigate the big acts from the era, they become them - recreating one act each in a final performance. They learn what it took to become a star in a world without TV, immerse themselves in the music and costumes of the time and discover how much our tastes have changed - or not - through a century of live entertainment.

Additional details

Production
Studio
Picture
Colour

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Thursday 3rd December 2015 at 9pm on BBC Four
Most recent repeats
  • Saturday 25th April 2020 at 11:30pm on BBC4 - Episode 3
  • Saturday 18th April 2020 at 10:30pm on BBC4 - Episode 2
  • Saturday 11th April 2020 at 10:30pm on BBC4 - Episode 1

Share this page