My Aunt Mabel

Jack Shillito

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.

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ArtsArts

HistoryHistory

Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Performing ArtsPerforming Arts

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My Aunt Mabel Series Introduction

My Aunt Mabel Series Introduction

This podcast series, My Aunt Mabel, will explore the life and work of Mabel Constanduros in the early decades of the BBC. She lived from 1880 -1957 and was a prolific writer and actress for radio, film and theatre, becoming one of the most creative forces in British radio for three decades.Across the next four episodes, you’ll hear about the highs of Mabel's pioneering professional life and the lows of her personal life with its tragic moments.You’ll also hear how she fought her corner 100 years ago to be paid equally, how she led the way in two entertainment genres that we take for granted today, and how she dealt with fame and her celebrity status.Over 6 decades have passed since Mabel’s death but you’ll notice many parallels with today’s media world and wider society.If entertainment and its place in society interest you, you’ll enjoy this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Celebrity Status

Celebrity Status

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.

Sitcom And Soap Opera Success

Sitcom And Soap Opera Success

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.

Breaking into Broadcasting

Breaking into Broadcasting

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.

Mother of the BBC

Mother of the BBC

In this episode we’ll look at how a determined Mabel Constanduros became a national treasure on the BBC but was airbrushed from history; her difficult personal life and its tragic moments; her stuffy, humdrum husband, and; her extraordinary trip to 1930s Hollywood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My Aunt Mabel Series Introduction

My Aunt Mabel Series Introduction

This podcast series, My Aunt Mabel, will explore the life and work of Mabel Constanduros in the early decades of the BBC. She lived from 1880 -1957 and was a prolific writer and actress for radio, film and theatre, becoming one of the most creative forces in British radio for three decades.Across the next four episodes, you’ll hear about the highs of Mabel's pioneering professional life and the lows of her personal life with its tragic moments.You’ll also hear how she fought her corner 100 years ago to be paid equally, how she led the way in two entertainment genres that we take for granted today, and how she dealt with fame and her celebrity status.Over 6 decades have passed since Mabel’s death but you’ll notice many parallels with today’s media world and wider society.If entertainment and its place in society interest you, you’ll enjoy this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.