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The Story of Musicals

Stephen Franklin

Juliet Rice

The Story of Musicals: Episode 2

Documentaries

Music: Easy Listening, Soundtracks & Musicals

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Episode 2

BBC Four - The Story of Musicals, Episode 2

How British musical talent stormed the West End in the 1980s with hits like Cats.

This episode looks at how British musical talent in the 1980s stormed the West End with hits like Cats, Les Miserables, Blood Brothers and Phantom of the Opera.

This episode charts how British musical talent in the 1980s stormed the West End with hits like Cats, Les Miserables, Blood Brothers and Phantom of the Opera. There are first-hand accounts from the extraordinary individuals whose tenacity and creativity ensured these shows became mega-hits despite often precarious beginnings. And it reveals how the titantic shows of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh became global phenomena, securing Britain's reputation as the powerhouse of musical theatre.

With contributions from Lord Lloyd Webber, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Sir Tim Rice, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Stephen Fry, Trevor Nunn, Sir Cliff Richard, Elaine Paige, Gillian Lyne, Paul Nicholas, Bonnie Langford, Richard Stilgoe, John Caird, John Napier, Bill Kenwright, Willy Russell, Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Anthony Pye-Jeary, Arlene Phillips, Charles Hart, Don Black, Harold Prince and Michael Ball.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

How the British musical became a driving force behind musical theatre around the world

Series which tells how the British musical became a driving force behind musical theatre around the world - a tale of shows, daring, rivalries, talent and fortunes set in just a single square mile

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