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Penny Smith Meets 'The Snowman' Composer Howard Blake

Penny Smith meets celebrated British composer Howard Blake. He is best known for writing the score for The Snowman, including the famous Walking in the Air.

Penny Smith meets celebrated British composer Howard Blake, famous for writing 'The Snowman' including the well-known 'Walking in the Air'. Howard will be working on a further 10 years of The Snowman stage show, making it the longest running Christmas show in the history of British theatre, and he has a new CD out at the end of June of works for String Quartet, including a new version of 'Walking in the Air' for string quartet, from 'The Snowman' Suite.

Actor Phil Daniels talks about playing corrupt jailer Mr Lockit in The Beggar's Opera at The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in London.

Actress and singer Janie Dee, winner of two Oliver Awards discusses her own cabaret show. It include a range of vocal styles embracing jazz, pop and ballads, Broadway and musical theatre. With carefully selected classics by such iconic singers and songwriters as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Joni Mitchell, George and Ira Gershwin and some comedy and satire from Spike Milligan, Alan Ayckbourn and Kit Hesketh Harvey amongst many others.

Director Joe Sumsion and playwright Kevin Dyer tell us about the UK's largest outdoor walkabout theatre event which this Summer celebrates its 25th anniversary with a story of medieval magic and myth as theatre company The Dukes stage Merlin and the Legend of King Arthur, a new play specially commissioned to mark the Lancaster theatre's 25 years of outdoor productions. The play takes place in the 54 acres of Williamson Park in the city of Lancaster.

We report on a Midlands-wide series of exhibitions that celebrate the Black Country and Birmingham as the birthplace of heavy metal.

Plus Michael Billington reviews the latest plays, and Sue Steward reviews photography.

2 hours

Music Played

  • Roy Orbison

    You Got It

    • (CD Single).
    • Virgin.
  • Edinburgh Quartet

    A Month in the Country, Op. 611

    • Howard Blake Works for String Quartet: Spieltrieb.
    • Naxos.
    • 2.
  • Joshua Radin

    I Missed You

    • (CD Single).
    • Warner Bros.
    • 1.
  • Janie Dee

    It Isn't Casablanca

  • Sonny & Cher

    I Got You Babe

    • Duets - 36 Of The World's Greatest Ev.
    • Telstar.
  • Big Impact Music

    • Julia Ward Howe

      Battle Hymn Of The Republic

  • The Broadway Cast of Shrek The Musical

    This Is Our Story

  • Blur

    Parklife

  • T. Rex

    Metal Guru

    • Can The Glam! (Various Artists).
    • Cherry Red Records.
  • Patrick Wolf

    House

    • (CD Single).
    • Mercury.
    • 1.
  • Sweet

    Ballroom Blitz

    • The Sweet - Originals.
    • RCA.
  • Andrea Corr

    Blue Bayou

Broadcast

  • Fri 1 Jul 2011 22:00