Dancing democracy in wartime Britain
This chapter explores the representation and experience of popular dance during the Second World War. It demonstrates that dancing provided a potent means for producers and consumers alike to express and embody many of the ideals associated with the ‘people’s war’, such as cheerful endurance, grace under fire, and social and imperial unity. Dancing also became synonymous and expressive of democracy, and differentiated Britain from its enemies. At the same time, commercial producers – but especially the dance hall industry – re-packaged patriotism as a way of staying in business, utilising war-themed promotions and causes to attract patrons, or advertising their ballrooms as bomb shelters.
2016 ◽
Vol 46
(185)
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pp. 543-560
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2007 ◽
Vol 34
(2)
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pp. 307-317
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