Architecture of Pleasure. British amusement parks, 1900-1939

Topics:

Countries:

Library:

Groups:

Notes:

A cultural study of the history of amusement parks, the nature of the recreation they provided, the distinctiveness of their physical assets and their evolution as a 'defining element in the architectural psychological pleasurescape of Britain'. In the process sheds much light on the industry. Deals in particular with three case studies - William Bean and the Blackpool Pleasure Beach; Dreamland, Margate; and the Kursaal at Southend . Chapters include: 'Rise of the amusement park, 1900-20'; 'Technology, machine bodies and moving images'; 'Putting order into chaos; the amusement park 1920-39'; 'Shifting modernities. Pleasure and leisure at the amusement park'