Book description
Former prime minister John Major takes a remarkable journey into his
own unconventional family past to tell the richly colourful story of the
British music hall.
Music hall was one of the glories of Victorian England. Sentimental,
vulgar, but patriotic and champion of the underdog, it held a mirror to
the audiences' hopes, fears and the general absurdity of life.
Vast, smoke-filled auditoriums were packed every night throughout
Britain. Popular performers, such as Marie Lloyd and Vesta Tilley, were
among the highest-paid and most celebrated figures in the land.
This was the world that John Major's father Tom entered at the age of
twenty-one as a comedian and singer. In 'My Old Man', the former prime
minister tells his father's story as a springboard for an entertaining
history of the music hall, from its origins in Elizabethan times through
to its heyday in the nineteenth century and eventual decline with the
rise of radio and cinema in the twentieth century.
Packed with colourful anecdotes, this warm-hearted account captures a
golden, bygone age of entertainment. 'An uncommon book about one of
the most extraordinary, vital and creative chapters in British
theatrical history … in this rich, generous book, he never moralises but
always celebrates … he sends in the clowns quite brilliantly, parading
them before us all in all their extraordinariness …. wonderfully
warm-hearted … compassionate … fascinating … Major nobly honours his
parents and the life they lived in these pages … the affection is
palpable' Guardian
'Affectionate, charming and unexpectedly lively … Major paints a vivid
picture … to read this richly enjoyable book is to be given a glimpse
into a lost world' Mail on Sunday
'Unpretentious and enjoyably evocative history … Major writes about its
extraordinary characters with real affection' Evening Standard
'Major offers vivid portraits of the stars…he also has excellent
chapters about the minor acts … entertaining and well-paced … My Old Man
is a powerful and affecting tribute' Daily Express
'That John Major is thoroughly at home with this story is shown by the
density of well-chosen detail' Financial Times John Major was born and
brought up in South London. After leaving school at sixteen he went on
to win the Lambeth seat for the Conservative party in 1968. He was the
Conservative Member of Parliament for Huntingdon between 1979 and 2001
and served in the Cabinet from 1987 to 1990. He was Prime Minister
between 1990 and 1997. He was awarded the Companion of Honour in 1999,
and became a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in
2005. Since leaving office he has taken up business and charitable
appointments.
