Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Episode 1

Episode 1 of 5

Tempers and egos flare as Opera Sunderland opts for West Side Story over an innovative gay opera. Stars Godfrey James. From 1997.

Opera Sunderland has a tradition of performing a new work every season - "its umbilical cord to civilisation".

However instead of staging innovative gay opera 'St Sebastien', managing director Dwight Gaggenheim opts for 'West Side Story' instead!

No wonder the tempers and egos of a plethora of opera-types come bubbling to the surface!

Comedy drama in five parts written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles

Derek ....... Andrew Branch
Keyboard Ken ....... Tom Miles
Cilla ....... Carolyn Bonnyman
Gareth ....... Godfrey James
James ....... Simon Butteriss
Natasha ....... Caz Weller
Dwight ....... Jonathan Kydd

Singers:

Alison Porter
Susan Jelley
Henrik Wager
Ian Bloomfield

Producer Chris Neill

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1997.

30 minutes

On radio

Friday 07:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

Episode 2

See all episodes from Taking It Up the Octave

Broadcasts

  • Thu 22 Dec 2016 09:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 22 Dec 2016 16:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 23 Dec 2016 04:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 10 Jul 2023 08:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 10 Jul 2023 13:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 10 Jul 2023 18:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 11 Jul 2023 03:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Friday 07:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Friday 12:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Friday 18:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Saturday 02:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra