The Musical

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Malcolm Prince

The Musical: Pushing The Boundaries

Pushing the Boundaries

Pushing The Boundaries

BBC Radio 2 - The Musical, Pushing The Boundaries

Bill Kenwright examines shows which deal with subjects considered as 'taboo'.

Bill Kenwright examines musicals which deal with 'taboo subjects' including 'Oh, What A Lovely War!', 'La Cage Aux Folles', 'Cabaret', 'Sweeney Todd', 'Hair', and 'Avenue Q'.

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

Programme Four: Pushing The Boundaries
The development of musical theatre is an on-going road of discovery and experimentation.  Musicals offer an opportunity to push at the boundaries - something they have repeatedly done: not simply in the way that shows are staged but in the subject matter their stories tackle. 
This programme considers shows which deal with subjects considered as 'taboo'.
Our case studies are: 'Oh, What A Lovely War!', 'Hair', 'La Cage Aux Folles', 'Cabaret', 'Sweeney Todd' and 'Avenue Q', with interviewees including:
Lyricist, Don Black, Stephen Sondheim, actor Angela Lansbury, director Michael Grandage, writer Richard Stilgoe, actor Liz Robertson, and co-creator of the musical ‘Hair’, James Rado.
We also hear from actors Liza Minnelli, Elaine Paige, and Paul Nicholas, creator of the musical ‘La Cage Aux Folles’, Jerry Herman, producer Cameron Mackintosh, and actor Douglas Hodge. 
There are additional contributions from director, Hal Prince, and actors Joel Grey and John Barrowman.
Presented by theatre producer Bill Kenwright.
Written by Brian Sibley and produced by Malcolm Prince.
First broadcast in 2010.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

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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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