British Comedy Guide
Angela Morley
Musical Variations: The Life Of Angela Morley

Musical Variations: The Life Of Angela Morley

  • Radio documentary
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2016
  • 1 episode

Stuart Barr uncovers the colourful career of British comedy composer and transgender pioneer, Angela Morley. Also features John Wilson, Harry Rabinowitz, Adèle Anderson and John Williams.

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Key details

Genre
Documentary
Broadcast
2016
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Episodes
1
Features
Stuart Barr, John Wilson, Harry Rabinowitz, Adèle Anderson, John Williams and Angela Morley
Producers
Chris Taylor
Company

In 1972, Wally Stott's transition to Angela Morley made front page news. Wally was famous. He was the composer for the radio series The Goon Show and Hancock's Half Hour, and music director to stars like Frankie Vaughan and Shirley Bassey.

"TV Music Man changes his sex" screamed the headlines. But where would Angela go from here? Stuart talks to her friends and colleagues to discover how she made her mark in the music business - as a woman and as a man.

He also explores the special qualities of the music she wrote and arranged, from the famous Hancock tuba theme to her work alongside John Williams on movie blockbusters such as Star Wars and Superman.

Additional details

Production
Studio

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Tuesday 23rd February 2016 at 11:30am on BBC Radio 4
Episode length
30 minutes
All previous repeats
  • Saturday 27th February 2016 at 3:30pm on Radio 4

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