James Blades - Pandemonium of the One-Man Band

James Blades - Pandemonium of the One-Man Band
by Robin Brooks and James Anthony-Rose

We take a journey through the life and work of James Blades, one of the most accomplished and highly regarded percussionists of the 20th century. James supplied the gong-stokes for the J. Arthur Rank Organisation and the ‘V’-for Victory drum-beat for BBC radio in WWII. He subsequently collaborated with Benjamin Britten, creating unique percussion effects for his operas.

James toured a percussion-lecture to schools countrywide. Our drama-documentary presents as one of these lectures, in which James takes us on a percussion pilgrimage, from his beginnings as a circus drummer, to the classical concert hall.

For our drama-documentary reconstruction, James takes the stage at the Brittten Studio, Snape Maltings in front of a live audience, with an array of instruments and a fund of stories. He has come to deliver one of the lectures for which - in real life - he became famous and much loved.

James Blades ..... James Anthony-Rose

Percussionist, Sam Wilson
Music Director, Tomi Rose

Director/Producer, Fiona McAlpine
Writers, Robin Brooks and James Anthony-Rose
Sound, Alisdair McGregor
Production Assistant, Freddy Neaves

An Allegra Production for BBC Radio 3