Comedy and nostalgia depicted in Compton Verney exhibitions

Compton Verney is launching two new exhibitions celebrating an optimistic time of Britain's future and laughter by the BBC.
Couple entertaining friendsCouple entertaining friends
Couple entertaining friends

Opening on Saturday July 9 and 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.

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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 – opening at the Warwickshire 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.

For more information and tickets, visit www.comptonverney.org.uk.