Social Realism & Kitchen Sink Drama
Whilst this site concentrates on the writing of my memories as an 80s Mod girl and also Soul music, I have decided to include a section purely dedicated to Kitchen Sink Drama / Social Realism. Whilst not entirely Mod subculture based, Kitchen Sink Realism has an interconnection within the subculture. To add also not only do I feel an affinity with the subject. I also personally think that this niche genre of literature and films, should be applauded and celebrated. Hence this is why I have created this section.
As I embarked on finding my feet musically at the back end of 1982 and began to take an interest in Mod subculture, I also became equally interested in Social Realism. A sphere I was catapulted into and have never left. The rest that was to follow, is now history. Both passions I became interested in independently at around the same time but much later came to realise there is somewhat of an overlap.
My affinity with Social Realism is deeply engrained within me, partly I believe, due to where I originate from, my love of reading that began at the age of three, which my parents strongly encouraged before I started school. Also my interest in the arts and cinema. But most importantly feel that I can relate to the subject matters and characters within these stories.
“Poor Cow” by Nell Dunn (1967)
“Poor Cow” by Nell Dunn (1967) went onto write the screenplay of her novel, later adapted into the film and directed by Ken Loach, starring Carol White and Terence Stamp. This was the first film that my parents went to see at the cinema on their first date, way back in December 1967.
Poor Cow – Interview with Ken Loach
June 14th, 2020
StudiocanalUK
“A Kestral For A Knave” by Barry Hines (1968)
Originating from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, I was born in 1969. The novel, “A Kestral For A Knave” by Barry Hines (1967), was later to be adapted into the film “Kes”, also directed by Ken Loach. Released a few months after I was born in March 1970, I feel a connection with both the novel and film. It was filmed in many locations I am familiar with. There are also few people in Barnsley, who do not know someone who knows someone who was in Kes. Barry Hines also originated from Barnsley.
“A Kind OF Loving” by Stan Barstow (1960)
It was in 1982 that I first watched the tv serial A Kind Of Loving by Stan Barstow broadcast. I was enamoured by the televised version of the story. Therefore I went on to read the trilogy of books in the Vic Brown saga. : “The Watchers On The Shore” (1966) and “The Right True End” (1976).
“There Is A Happy Land” by Keith Waterhouse (1957)
A year later in 1983, I moved to comprehensive school. This was when I began to seriously become interested in “Kitchen Sink Realism”. That interest was ignited by my then, old English Literature teacher, Guy Thompson. Looking back (whilst my specialism is Science), I really did like those English Literature lessons. My serious introduction began with “There Is A Happy Land” by Keith Waterhouse (1957). Which to this day, I still have a great deal of fondness for. I liked Keith Waterhouse‘s style of writing, so decided to further research his books.
“Billy Liar” by Keith Waterhouse (1959)
This is when I discovered Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse (1959) and this is when my serious reading of Kitchen Sink Realism novels began. Although a novice at the age of fifteen, I was still finding my feet with these books. However should any opportunity arise to read these books, I took it.
“Room At The Top” by John Braine (1957)
By late 1985 I had managed to read about a dozen or so novels on the genre mainly those by Barry Hines, Stan Barstow and Keith Waterhouse. On Sunday 22nd October 1985 was a personal game changer. That was to further interest in reading these novels and watching these films. That game changer was during Autumn half term and as a fifth form student I was revising for my upcoming O’Level mock exams. I remember that Sunday as if it was yesterday, although now it is vastly approaching thirty nine years ago to the day.
After revising most of the day, my Mam suggested I take a break and a film was on tv that night that maybe I’d like to watch. I think it was on Yorkshire TV if my memory serves me correctly. The film was called “Room At The Top” based on the story by John Braine and directed by Jack Clayton. I was enamoured by not only the performances of Laurence Harvey as Joe Lampton and Simone Signoret as Alice Aisgill. However not only did I love the story, I liked the the backdrop and the filming locations. But more so that I could relate to not only this story but also the dozen or so books, I had read over the previous couple of years.
“Life At The Top” by John Braine (1962)
Thirsty to discover more of John Braine‘s works, I had the remainder of the half term to revise, but equally wanted to read. Therefore I took a bus into Barnsley town centre to the local WH Smiths & bought the novels Room At The Top and Life At The Top by John Braine. I eagerly read them (in between revising) within two weeks. I then made it my mission to collect every John Braine novel. Who coincidentally I was to learn had previously been a librarian at Darton Library and had. Darton being a village that is about six miles from where I originate. Supposedly, John Braine had written this novel in the early 1950s whilst working at Darton Library.
Channel 4 – The screening of Kitchen Sink Realism & British New Wave Cinema
In the Summer of 1986, Channel 4 would screen many of the popular Kitchen Sink Realism films on a Friday night. My parents used to buy the TV Times back then on a Friday. Every Friday I would go to the following Friday’s listings for Channel 4. and mark off the Kitchen Sink film showing, to ensure I did’nt miss it. And on the occasions I was going out on the Friday evening, I’d ask my Dad to set the video recorder for me to watch later. Which he always did. The films which were to become firm favourite were : “A Taste of Honey” written by playwright Shelagh Delaney (1958), and later directed by Tony Richardson, “Up The Junction” by Nell Dunn (1963) directed by Peter Collinson and “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” by Alan Sillitoe (1958) directed by Karel Reisz.
At this stage in my later teenage years, besides Mod subculture and working towards my A-Levels and then studying for my degree occupying, most of my time, I continued to add to my collection of novels.
These particular three films, I am exceptionally fond of, not only for nostalgic reasons of this time, but also because of several of my close friends from university, who studied English, Media, Drama or Film. I have some exceptionally good memories of re-watching those films with those friends. Those friends who I am still in contact with thirty odd years on and know of my enthusiasm for these books. It was also due to Channel 4, as well as those friends, that broadened my knowledge of the films, genre of Social Realism films and also Kitchen Sink Realism authors.
Alan Sillitoe Novels – The 1990s
Fast forward to 1995, I moved to Nottingham. Due to this I was to discover a wonderful couple of vintage second hand book shops. It was here that I was able to source some of those novels that I had not read . Also equally with the advent of the internet it became much easier to discover all the writers and source the titles.
At that particular time it was then 39 years that “Look Back In Anger” by John Osbourne (1956) was performed at the Royal Court in London in May 1956. Although a play, it is classed as the one of the most seminal works and origins of Kitchen Sink Drama. It was also when the term coined “The Angry Young Men” movement in literature was to begin.
Whilst the publication of the “older type” of Kitchen Sink literature appeared to be decreasing, it was continuing. Alan Sillitoe was still very much publishing his short story collections and novels. In 2001, forty three years after his publication of “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning”, the much awaited sequel “Birthday” was published. It was certainly worth the wait for Alan Sillitoe fans. It continues the story of the once cocky, rebellious Artur Seaton and protagonist of “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning”, now 63, reflecting on his life.
Barry Hines & Nell Dunn Novels – The 1990s
Barry Hines also had recently published his novel “The Heart of It” a year earlier. This is an excellent novel and still a firm favourite of mine. Also in 1998, he published his novel “Elvis Over England”.
Nell Dunn too published her sequel to Poor Cow, My Silver Shoes (1996). Following the life of Joy, twenty or more so years on. Now, living in the council flat next door to her 80 year old mother Gladys. Joy is navigating through the harsh realities of life. The best that she can. Also a whole host of Social Realism films continued being produced around this time.
Brassed Off
Brassed Off being one of those films. Released in 1996 and directed by Mark Herman. It was filmed in the village of Grimethorpe in South Yorkshire where I attended the once Willowgarth High School comprehensive. I originate two and half miles from this now ex-mining village. Thus I have a great love for this film for this reason. The being due to the nostalgia and sentiment that it evokes.
However more so for the message, that the film Brassed Off conveys. That being, that the power of solidarity within a community and maintaining personal dignity does solidify the strength of human endurance through financial hardship and social injustice.
I witnessed the effects of the Miners Strike first hand in this area. Sadly also the dire effects it had on that community. Like many, many others, not only in South Yorkshire but also throughout the UK. The film to this day still makes me emotional, for these reasons.
Brassed Off Trailer
August 12th, 2015
Anna Cope
A Personal Journey – Social Realism
Reflecting over the past forty two years of my life, little was I to know then that Kitchen Sink Realism would become one of my major passions. It would be one to occupy the vast majority of my adult life.
It is with an extended thanks to my parents, Don and Linda. My English Literature teacher Mr Guy Thompson and form teacher Bev Vosper. My friends Dean Smith, Andrea Ballancore, Nicola Sanchez, Jo Orlandi, Bridget Young and Paul Bailey. for encouraging my expansion of knowledge within this realm. And last but not least to Em. Em throughout the past three decades has not only helped me to source some of these novels. However equally has supported my continued enthusiasm on this topic.
This category of articles is therefore dedicated to my love of this genre of literature, reading and films. These articles mainly concentrating on the literature and films of the late 1950s through to the early 1970s of this genre. Over the continuation of time, I endeavour to add more.
Corresponding feeds Kitchen Sink Realism related to this category can be found on Twitter and Facebook.
And further articles discussing Social Realism and Kitchen Sink Drama can be found here :
My Kitchen Sink Realism Love Affair … How It All Began
Kitchen Sink Films
Angry Young Women Writers of the 1950s & 1960s
The Angry Young Men Movement
What is Kitchen Sink Realism?
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