BBC Radio 4 Extra to bring listeners the best musicals from the BBC archives
For the first time BBC Radio 4 Extra will broadcast a season of classic musicals from the radio archives, including Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls (recorded for BBC Radio 2 in 1994), starring Homeland actor Mandy Patinkin and Benidorm’s John Challis, who famously played Boycie in Only Fools And Horses.
I’m thrilled the BBC is repeating Guys and Dolls. I’d love to do another one, although I’m often asked for The Rocky Horror Show and I just don’t look good in tights.
Patinkin will also take the lead in Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein’s Carousel (1995) as carnival barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with Maine factory worker Julie Jordan is at the detriment of both their jobs.
Elsewhere Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar (1994) tells the story of Jesus’ last week through the eyes of Jesus (played by Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley) and Judas (The Who’s Roger Daltrey).
John Challis said: “I’m thrilled the BBC is repeating Guys and Dolls, that show was very special. I’d love to do another one, although I’m often asked for The Rocky Horror Show and I just don’t look good in tights.”
Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (1994) will kick-start the season on 16 July, telling the tale of a barber seeking revenge after escaping from an unjust imprisonment. Julia McKenzie (Agatha Christie’s Marple) stars as his accomplice Mrs Lovett. This will be followed by Guys and Dolls on 23 July, Carousel on 30 July, Jesus Christ Superstar on 6 August, and Robert Wright and George Forrest’s Kismet on 13 August (1994).
All musicals have been drawn from BBC Radio 2’s extensive back-catalogue of exclusively-recorded works from the mid-nineties and will be followed by selected bonus programmes taken from across the BBC Radio archives, including behind the scenes and interviews with the composers and playwrights.
BBC Radio 4 Extra's Executive Editor Tony Pilgrim says: “At 4 Extra we bring listeners the best programmes from the BBC’s radio archives and now listeners can enjoy the finest seats in the house as we bring musical theatre to homes across the country. I hope this great collection of musicals will be a summer treat for many!”
Musicals and complementary programmes will broadcast on Saturdays from 16 July to 13 August, 9am – 12pm on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
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