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Chaim Topol, Zandra Flemister, Bill Tidy MBE, Avis Fawcitt

Matthew Bannister on actor Chaim Topol, special agent Zandra Flemister, cartoonist Bill Tidy MBE and music teacher Avis Fawcitt.

Matthew Bannister on

The actor and singer Chaim Topol (pictured), best known for his performances in the musical Fiddler on the Roof.

Zandra Flemister, the first African American woman to work as a Secret Service special agent.

The prolific cartoonist Bill Tidy MBE who created the Cloggies and The Fosdyke Saga.

Avis Fawcitt, the Leicestershire music teacher who devoted her life to the Orphean Youth and Concert Orchestra.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: John Collinge
Interviewed guest: Sylvia Tidy-Harris
Interviewed guest: Sir Tim Rice
Interviewed guest: Ian Stewart

Archive clips used: Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4, Desert Island Discs – Chaim Topol 15/10/1983; Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4, In The Public Eye 28/12/1967; Batjack Productions/ The Llenroc Productions/ The Mirisch Corporation, Cast A Giant Shadow (1966) film clip; Eon Productions, For Your Eyes Only (1981) film clip; Starling Films/ Famous Films (II)/ Dino De Laurentis Company, Flash Gordon (1980) film clip; The Mirisch Production Company/ Cartier Productions, Fiddler On The Roof (1971); Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4, The World This Weekend, South Asian Earthquake 09/10/2005; Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4 Extra, The Fosdyke Saga – Tripe War 21/07/2018; Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two, One Man’s Week – Bill Tidy 16/04/1975; Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue 21/01/1989; Jeremy Oakley personal archive, Avis Fawcitt actuality and music.

Available now

28 minutes

Chaim Topol

Born 9 September 1935; died 8 March 2023 aged 87.

In his own words. 

Zandra Flemister

Born 21 November 1951; died 21 February 2023 aged 71.

Last Word spoke to her husband John Collinge.

Bill Tidy MBE

Born 9 October 1933; died 11 March 2023 aged 89.

Last Word spoke to his daughter Sylvia Tidy-Harris and to lyricist Sir Tim Rice.

Avis Fawcitt

Born 22nd June 1929; died 7th Feb 2023 aged 93.

Last Word spoke to her former pupil Ian Stewart.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 17 Mar 2023 16:00
  • Sun 19 Mar 2023 20:30

Podcast