Communications, Drama and Film

Photo of Dr Tony Lidington

Dr Tony Lidington

Associate Lecturer in Drama (E&S)

T.Lidington@exeter.ac.uk

Overview

My primary research interest is in the field of British popular entertainment forms and how they may be applied and recognized in contemporary culture. I specialize in both primary and action research into itinerant entertainers (eg pierrot concert parties, peepshows, fairground sideshows) and the transference of that knowledge to as wide an audience as possible, using every available platform: this includes a substantial number of nationally broadcast radio series (these form the publication basis of my PhD thesis), television programmes, augmented reality applications, conference papers & speeches, as well as public performances and exhibitions.

Currently, I am working with Kate Newey & Jim Davis’ AHRC follow-on funding project looking at Theatre and Visual Culture in the Nineteenth Century.

Back to top

Research

Popular entertainment forms: in particular, pierrot troupes, concert parties, peepshows, raree men, music hall, fairground, circus, itinerant performance, celebratory performance.

Themes: nationhood & identity, multicultural influences, gender studies, defnitions an uses of public space.

Projects:

  • Monograph - 'Don't Forget the Pierrots! The Complete History of Pierrot Troupes & Concert Parties' for Routledge
  • Society for Theatre Research award to study origins of pierrot troupes.
  • Lead artist for AHRC project Nineteenth Century Visual Culture with Kate Newey & Jim Davis
  • Lead artist for AHRC The Victorian Joke Project with Bob Nicholson 


Research collaborations

Currently, I am working with Kate Newey & Jim Davis’ AHRC follow-on funding project looking at Theatre and Visual Culture in the Nineteenth Century

Back to top

Supervision

I am open to discussing research proposals on any relevant subject given my research expertise. I am especially happy to consider working with candidates with interests in the following areas: popular entertainment forms, pantomime, fairgrounds, street performance, historical popular forms.

Candidates who are interested in working with me should  send me a 500 word outline of their proposed research topic and a copy of their CV so that I can decide if I wish to supervise your project, your suitability as a candidate and if these are all met, I can then begin to engage with you.

Back to top

Publications

Copyright Notice: Any articles made available for download are for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the copyright holder.

| 2017 | 1987 |

2017

  • Lidington T. (2017) In the belly of the beast: The itinerant British showman and the definition of ‘seer performance’, Popular Entertainment Studies, volume 8, no. 1, pages 36-56.

1987

Back to top

External impact and engagement

I am working with Teignbridge Town Council on animating the seafront for the summer months 2023.

I am working with Exeter Culture exploring the possibilities of public realm activities for the city centre.



Contribution to discipline

Board member of Theatre Alibi


Media

Many and various BBC television and radio contributions - both live and recorded: BBC 1, BBC 2, Radio 4, Radio 4Xtra, Sky TV, Channel 4, BBC Radio 5, local television & radio.

Back to top

Teaching

Practice and research led... My 40 years of practice informs my awareness of the industry and the forms in which I choose to operate.

2 X 'Above & Beyond' awards

Modules taught

Back to top

Biography

Dr Tony Lidington – short biography:

Tony has been a showman, researcher and teacher for over 40 years. He specialises in historical popular entertainment forms and their application to contemporary contexts. Tony was awarded a doctorate for his research into itinerant British performance forms by the University of Exeter, where he now teaches. He regularly writes about the subject for academic journals and general interest magazines, as well as broadcasting on both radio and television. Tony was founder of ‘The Pierrotters’ - Britain’s last professional seaside pierrot troupe, with whom he performed for 27 years as ‘Uncle Tacko!’ and now performs wit his remarkable flea circus throughout the country. Tony is the country's leading authority on seaside entertainment and a respected commentator on the history of British popular culture.

        

Back to top

 Edit profile