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My Aunt Mabel

My Aunt Mabel

Written by: Jack Shillito
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About this listen

This is the story of a single mother who went from ordinary housewife in 1925 to one of the UK's most beloved comedians.

And she has been forgotten by history.


As told by her (great-great) nephew, this five-part podcast looks at Mabel Constanduros 's extraordinary journey to becoming a trailblazing creative force in British entertainment for over three decades.


Major shifts in society, media and entertainment, of which Mabel was part, were taking place a century ago - parallels which ring true in today’s world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Shillito Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Celebrity Status

    Celebrity Status
    Oct 5 2022

    In this final episode of the series, we’ll look at how Mabel dealt with fame and her celebrity status and how she dealt with - and, as you’ll soon hear, basically hated - the rise of television.


    Listen in to find out about Mabel's threatening stalker in her house, and what she thought of her work in the first televised Worzel Gummidge series.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    18 mins
  • Sitcom And Soap Opera Success

    Sitcom And Soap Opera Success
    Oct 5 2022

    In this episode we’ll dive into two of Mabel’s most important and popular shows - the Buggins Family and the English Family Robinson. They represent two entertainment genres that we take for granted today - the sitcom and the soap opera - and Mabel was at the forefront of it all.


    One media expert has said the Bugginses were ‘the forerunner of virtually every soap and sitcom family that’s ever been’. Listen in to find out how Mabel blazed a trail for comedians such as Catherine Tate.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 mins
  • Breaking into Broadcasting

    Breaking into Broadcasting
    Oct 5 2022
    In this episode we’ll look at how Mabel broke into broadcasting, how she fought her corner 100 years ago to ensure she was paid equally - becoming a no-nonsense negotiator in the process - and her seemingly infinite creative output.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    29 mins
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