With spoton injections of humour and a frequently raised sardonic eyebrow joy and warmth shine from this fascinating and funny book Jo Brand A joyful celebration of amateur theatre From the Mystery Plays of the Middle Ages via the Georgian aristocrats who built opulent private theatres in their own homes to the radical lefties taking political theatre to the streets this is the story of amateur dramatics in Britain. We meet a cast of characters who tell us about the joy amateur theatre brings t