Dr Tony Lidington

I am a part-time, permanent lecturer in the drama department at the University of Exeter.

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.

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.

Research 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.