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Lionel Bart begins work on his musical masterpiece, 'Oliver!'. Alistair McGowan reads David and Caroline Stafford's biography.

Lionel Bart gives Cliff Richard his first number one and starts working on his own musical masterpiece, 'Oliver!'

A unique musical talent.

Lionel found fame with the hugely successful musicals Oliver! and 'Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be'.

Plus, he became a hit-making machine for some of Britain's first rock'n'roll stars - Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde and Cliff Richard -as well as giving the James Bond movie franchise its first song.

He socialized with figures from both serious and populist culture, and experienced a downfall that was as spectacular as his theatrical triumphs.

David and Caroline Stafford's biography of Bart draws on previously unseen archive sources and interviews with those closest to him.

Abridged by Julian Wilkinson.

Read by Alistair McGowan.

Producer: Emma Harding

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2011.

15 days left to listen

15 minutes

Last on

Thu 12 Feb 202603:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Broadcasts

  • Wed 28 Dec 201109:45
    BBC Radio 4 FM
  • Thu 29 Dec 201100:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Wed 19 Oct 201614:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 20 Oct 201602:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Feb 202608:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Feb 202613:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 11 Feb 202619:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 12 Feb 202603:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra