Sounds to me as if you ought not to harp on about it, Bryn.

(But thanks for the heads-up! )

Thought you might be stringing us along there for a moment, Bryn   Thanks for that.

Just noticed the start of TTN tonight:

1.00am
Varèse, Edgard (1883-1965): Ionisation
Members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Bruno Maderna (conductor)

1.08am
Bartók, Béla (1881-1945): Violin Concerto No 1
Yehudi Menuhin (violin)
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Pierre Boulez (conductor)

1.29am
Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827): Symphony No 8 in F
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Pierre Monteux (conductor)

I had to laugh when I was watching University Challenge once some years ago. The music starter was obviously Ionisation by Varese, it was a percussion piece and had the trademark sirens in it. The students suggested Shostakovich and Paxman dismissed them peremptorily with "No, no, it's Stravinsky's Rite of Spring."

Rei,

Thanks for that: I'm already aware of these two episodes. Furthermore, Late Junction this week has been playing the odd bit of material from the sessions which will supply the two WR programmes, and very juicy they sound, too. As yet there's no way of telling whether these bits will be repeated in the main programmes, or are miscellaneous extras: either way, I'd think it's highly likely that every scrap of music broadcast will be preserved in the Dough Archives...

     Yes, Ron, I shall set the DVD-R to see this production again.   Originally staged by the RSC, at The Aldwych Theatre, tickets were at a premium.   Thinking about it a few years later, including a revival at The Old Vic, I'm convinced that the production was the last time when audiences from the middle class Home Counties filled West End theatres.    Prices for, say, the Upper Circle used to be 5/- and 7/6d and remained consistent when the changeover to decimal currency was established in 1971 and for most of the decade.    "Phantom of the Opera" followed within a few years in the 80s and the price spiralling really took off as the audience constituency for the West End gradually changed to the tourist trade.   Gone were the days of £1 top price seats for Preview performances in Shaftesbury Avenue - and I still have ticket stubs for side seats in the amphi at Covent Garden for this price.

A most engaging production of "Nicholas Nickelby", seen over two evenings, or matinee and evening performance at the weekend, with Roger Rees staking his future before later taking residence in America.   I was also amused to recall David Threlfall - a new kid on the block at the time - outstanding as the handicapped Smike, rather indulging his incapacity by taking a long time to cross the stage - couldn't visualise how he would cope with the long walk to Portsmouth!

Agog to see how it looks in 2007.

It's very hard to revive a production that has such strong memories for the audience - especially since none of the original cast will be returning to their roles. I'd say their best chance is to forge a new show based on the good ideas of the old one...  otherwise they are condemned to be mere impersonators of the original cast.