Comedy greats and the hope of the 1950s in exhibitions at Compton Verney

Running until Sunday October 2, Britain in the Fifties: Design and Aspiration will reflect on how design shaped people’s lives.

Although the country was still recovering from the seismic shock of the Second World War, there was a general mood of optimism, as austerity gave way to increasing affluence and burgeoning consumerism.

From Tony Hancock’s lugubrious stare to Miranda Hart’s trademark look-to- camera, some of Britain’s most instantly recognisable comedians and actors are celebrated in the second new exhibition at Compton Verney.

BBC Faces of Comedy opens at the gallery on Tuesday July 19 and again running until Sunday October 2.

The exhibition is a collaboration with the BBC, who will also launch a landmark sitcom season on air later this year across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four.

Included in the Compton Verney show are the seminal comedy faces of Joyce Grenfell, Tommy Handley, Frankie Howerd, Tony Hancock, Morecambe and Wise, and The Goons. Stars from much-loved sitcoms, including The Good Life, Are You Being Served?, Dad’s Army and Only Fools and Horses, feature.

Visit www.comptonverney.org.uk for details.