The term British New Wave refers to a cultural movement in the 1950s and 1960s that saw a shift in British cinema and literature towards more realistic and gritty portrayals of working-class life. This movement was a response to the post-war social and economic changes in Britain and was heavily influenced by the rise of the Angry Young Men and Kitchen Sink Realism.British New Wave
Considered one of the pioneers of the British New Wave, John Osborne was a playwright and screenwriter known for his controversial and provocative works. His most famous play, Look Back in Anger, is often credited with launching the Angry Young Men movement and introducing Kitchen Sink Realism to the stage. Osborne's works often focused on the struggles and frustrations of the working class, making him a key figure in the Kitchen Sink Drama genre.John Osborne
Look Back in Anger is a play written by John Osborne and first performed in 1956. It is considered a landmark work in British theatre and is often cited as the defining piece of the British New Wave movement. The play follows the story of a young working-class couple who struggle with their marriage and societal expectations. Its realistic and raw portrayal of everyday life and social issues resonated with audiences and sparked a new wave of British drama.Look Back in Anger
The term Angry Young Men was coined by theatre critic Kenneth Tynan to describe a group of young British writers, including John Osborne, who rebelled against the traditional upper-class values and conventions of British theatre. These writers, often from working-class backgrounds, used their works to critique social and political issues and give a voice to the frustrations of their generation. The Angry Young Men movement was a key influence on the Kitchen Sink Drama genre and the British New Wave.Angry Young Men
Realism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the 19th century, emphasizing the accurate and honest representation of everyday life and society. In the context of British New Wave and Kitchen Sink Drama, realism refers to the focus on portraying the struggles and realities of working-class life in a truthful and unfiltered manner. This rejection of romanticized and idealized depictions of society was a major aspect of the British New Wave movement.Realism
Social class is a system of stratification based on economic, social, and cultural factors that determine one's position in society. The British New Wave and Kitchen Sink Drama often explored the divide between the upper and working classes and challenged the traditional class system in British society. These works gave a voice to the working class and shed light on the struggles and discrimination they faced in a society that favored the upper class.Social Class
The working class is a socio-economic group that consists of individuals who earn a living through manual labor, often in low-paying jobs. In the context of British New Wave and Kitchen Sink Drama, the working class is the focus of the stories, and their struggles and experiences are portrayed in a realistic and unfiltered manner. These works aimed to give a voice to the working class and shed light on their daily struggles and challenges in a society that often ignored and marginalized them.Working Class
Domestic settings, such as homes and families, are a common feature in Kitchen Sink Drama and the British New Wave. These settings provide a backdrop for the stories of working-class individuals and their relationships, highlighting the struggles and dynamics within these everyday spaces. Domestic settings were often used to depict the mundane and often overlooked aspects of working-class life, giving audiences a more realistic and relatable portrayal.Domestic Settings
One of the defining features of Kitchen Sink Drama and the British New Wave is its focus on everyday life. These works aimed to portray the struggles and experiences of ordinary people and shed light on the realities of working-class life. By showcasing the mundane and often overlooked aspects of everyday life, these works challenged traditional notions of what was considered worthy of artistic representation and brought a new level of realism and authenticity to British literature and cinema.Everyday Life
Kitchen Sink Realism is a term used to describe a style of drama that emerged in Britain in the late 1950s and early 1960s, characterized by its gritty and unflinching portrayal of working-class life. It often featured domestic settings, everyday language, and social and political commentary. This style of drama was heavily influenced by the British New Wave and is considered a sub-genre of the movement. It paved the way for more realistic and socially conscious works in British theatre and cinema.Kitchen Sink Realism