This programme on radio 2 might discuss the topic
"Much will be made of the fact that Made in Dagenham, November’s big musical theatre opening, is yet another stage adaptation of a movie. "
The Musical
Published Thursday 30 October 2014 at 13:17 by Lisa Martland
"The second programme in a special season of documentaries celebrating the most popular and successful form of theatrical entertainment in the world: The Musical. There are eight documentaries, each presented by a leading name from the world of musical theatre.
Programme Two: Drawn From Life (Daniel Evans) It's clearly important for the musical theatre audience to understand the characters on stage and their motivation which is why, as we discovered in last week's programme, the story - or, as it is called in the musical, 'the book' is of vital importance. It also probably explains why so many musical stories are not original but are borrowed from other sources such as novels, plays and increasingly these days, films. Always popular with composers are the life-stories of real people. Some of them were already famous before becoming characters in musicals, but many were largely unknown - until becoming the subject of a successful show brought them a unique kind of fame! This documentary considers the musicals that have been 'drawn from life' including: 'Gypsy', 'Evita' and 'The King and I'. Key contributors include: Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Patti Lupone, Paul Nicholas, Maury Yeston, Elaine Stritch, Maria Friedman, Victor Spinetti, Ruthie Henshall, Tim Rice, Elaine Paige, Richard Stilgoe, Michael Grandage and Liz Robertson. 'Drawn From Life' is written by Brian Sibley and produced for Radio 2 by Malcolm Prince."
presented by a leading name from the world of musical theatre. Programme Two: Drawn From Life (Daniel Evans) It's clearly important for the musical theatre audience to understand the characters on stage and their motivation which is why, as we discovered in last week's programme, the story - or, as it is called in the musical, 'the book' is of vital importance. It also probably explains why so many musical stories are not original but are borrowed from other sources such as novels, plays and increasingly these days, films. Always popular with composers are the life-stories of real people. Some of them were already famous before becoming characters in musicals, but many were largely unknown - until becoming the subject of a successful show brought them a unique kind of fame! This documentary considers the musicals that have been 'drawn from life' including: 'Gypsy', 'Evita' and 'The King and I'. Key contributors include: Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Patti Lupone, Paul Nicholas, Maury Yeston, Elaine Stritch, Maria Friedman, Victor Spinetti, Ruthie Henshall, Tim Rice, Elaine Paige, Richard Stilgoe, Michael Grandage and Liz Robertson. 'Drawn From Life' is written by Brian Sibley and produced for Radio 2 by Malcolm Princ
Production information
BBC Radio 2, October 28, 11pm, then continuing until December 16 Author:Brian SibleyContributors include:Sian Phillips, Stephen Sondheim, Sandy Wilson, Donna McKechnie, Maria Friedman, Ruthie Henshall, Patti LuPoneProducer:Malcolm Prince for Radio 2Running time:1hr
Bend It Like Beckham the musical is an interesting idea! The music is by Howard Goodall who wrote the music for Love Story which I absolutely loved so I have high hopes for the score. I think making films into musicals is bringing theatre to a wider audience as people that might not go to the theatre normally will be more likely to see something if they enjoyed the film version. I think that is also true for musicals made using pop music that is already known e.g. Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and Jersey Boys. That being said Viva Forever and Movin' Out both closed very quickly as has The Full Monty. I found this article from March this year which mentions the success of American imports on the West End compared to the English musical writing and it also talks about the 'Cool' shows that seem to be popular this year. http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/londons-hottest-new-musicals-9183438.html. I generally prefer new writing and music but I do enjoy seeing shows converted from films too. Just as long as there is room for both and the musicals converted from films don't take over too much!
Thanks Sarah - finding the right equation for the musical genre is a very interesting topic - there was an interesting show that was on the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0192pyj that is no longer available BUT there are some other shows on Box of Broadcasts - http://bobnational.net you can go through UniHub/MyUnihub - go to library look up box of broadcasts in the catalogue and use key words Musical Theatre - or try this link and use MDX IT user name and password
Bend It Like Beckham the musical is an interesting idea! The music is by Howard Goodall who wrote the music for Love Story which I absolutely loved so I have high hopes for the score.
ReplyDeleteI think making films into musicals is bringing theatre to a wider audience as people that might not go to the theatre normally will be more likely to see something if they enjoyed the film version. I think that is also true for musicals made using pop music that is already known e.g. Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You and Jersey Boys.
That being said Viva Forever and Movin' Out both closed very quickly as has The Full Monty.
I found this article from March this year which mentions the success of American imports on the West End compared to the English musical writing and it also talks about the 'Cool' shows that seem to be popular this year. http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/londons-hottest-new-musicals-9183438.html.
I generally prefer new writing and music but I do enjoy seeing shows converted from films too. Just as long as there is room for both and the musicals converted from films don't take over too much!
Thanks Sarah - finding the right equation for the musical genre is a very interesting topic - there was an interesting show that was on the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0192pyj that is no longer available BUT there are some other shows on Box of Broadcasts - http://bobnational.net you can go through UniHub/MyUnihub - go to library look up box of broadcasts in the catalogue and use key words Musical Theatre - or try this link and use MDX IT user name and password
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