The Musical

Original version

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Malcolm Prince

The Musical: From Page To Stage

From Page to Stage

From Page To Stage

BBC Radio 2 - The Musical, From Page To Stage

Sheila Hancock considers stage musicals based books including Oliver! and Les Miserables.

Actor Sheila Hancock considers stage musicals that took their inspiration from books.  With Ron Moody, Patti LuPone, Tim Rice, Elaine Stritch, Alain Boublil and Stephen Sondheim.

Another chance to hear the landmark documentary series celebrating the most popular and successful form of theatrical entertainment in the world: The Musical.

Programme Six: From Page To Stage
The Musical can take many forms and tell many different kinds of story in a variety of styles; but, before there can be any show, there has to be a story.
In searching for that story, composers have repeatedly turned to the world's greatest literary classics; from Cevantes' 'Don Quixote' to Dickens' 'Oliver Twist'.
In this programme, actors Ron Moody, Jodie Prenger, Elaine Paige with producer Cameron Mackintosh consider Lionel Bart's landmark show, 'Oliver!'.
The co-creators of ‘Les Miserables’, Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil, illustrate how the genre of the musical knows no national boundaries, and original cast member, Patti LuPone, recalls the challenges of turning Victor Hugo’s epic nineteenth century novel into a stage musical.
And later, director Michael Grandage discusses the ever-popular Broadway show 'Guys and Dolls', which was inspired by the work of Damon Runyan.
But even when a musical is based on a famous book, they can fail. 
This programme also recalls shows that have flopped including: 'The Baker's Wife' and 'Margueritte' with contributions from Ruthie Henshall, Tim Rice and Don Black. 
And Stephen Sondheim explains that even the most highly regarded writers have experienced musicals that haven't found their audiences.
Other contributors include: actor Elaine Stritch, choreographer Arlene Phillips, creator of ‘The Boyfriend’, Sandy Wilson, and actor Victor Spinetti.
Presented by Sheila Hancock.
Written by Brian Sibley and produced by Malcolm Prince.
First broadcast in 2010.

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Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Music: Easy Listening, Soundtracks & Musicals

A series of documentaries celebrating the most successful form of theatrical entertainment

A series of documentaries celebrating the most popular and successful form of theatrical entertainment

A series of documentaries celebrating the most popular and successful form of theatrical entertainment in the world. Each programme is presented by a leading name from the world of musical theatre.

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The Musical

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