01 - Productions re-imagined and re-shot

Three titles to be remade for new audiences.

An Evening with the Monologues

working title
For your delectation and delight, another visit to the era of the Comic and Dramatic Monologue.  If some of the original guests from the mini-series join us (and/or some clips from that show) it would be great but not essential.  The new shows can be recorded in the exact same setting for another 'celebrity dinner party'.  The monologues are mostly in the public domain.

Max Miller, "there'll never be another"

working title
The golden age of Max Miller, based on the stage show 'Here's a Funny Thing' starring the late John Bardon and which was adapted for TV.  The show re-imagined would take another look at the life of Max Miller, the most highly paid performer of his time.  Clips from the Bardon show to be used, and the stage play rescripted.

Shining Hour

working title
​Celebrating the magical world of operetta and musical comedy and harnessing the winning formula that made the 80s hit series Top C's & Tiaras so successful.  Ideally, recorded at Wrotham Park, Hertfordshire with live sound, and using an ensemble cast of the four voices plus a star artist.

Background - Project 01.01

'An Evening with Comic and Dramatic Monologues' - we have over 250 monologues in our repertoire dating from the 1890s.  The original mini-series was never used for its intend purpose and therefore is unlikely to have been seen by most people.  Whilst there are some extraordinary performances from exceptional actors, the show is not dependent on them.  Therefore, the remake can be produced in a number of ways and needn't be a large budget.  The location for the original series is still available for hire and remains unchanged, this listed building in central London with opulant eighteenth-century interiors.

Background - Project 01.02

'Max Miller, there'll never be another!'  From enquiries received, we know there is an interest in a re-make of a Max Miller show.  Sadly, John Bardon is no longer with us and we are aware how keen his followers are to see 'Here's a Funny Thing' remastered.  This may or may not happen.  ​

However, the source material is still available from which the stage play and TV adaptation was made.  We are also aware of contemporary well-known actors who would welcome the opportunity to play the role.

Background - Project 01.03

'Shining Hour' - the magical world of operetta, the repertoire is extensive with 100s of operettas and countless composers to chose from.  Regarded as 'popular' or 'light classical', tunes are memorable and date from about 1850 (Paris) and the genre lasted for nearly a century.  In making 'Top C's & Tiaras', typically we would use around 50 song titles per one hour programme (including medleys and routining sessions in each show).  Whilst Top C's was hugely successful, we understand they would not repeat the shows due largely to the prevailing rights and residuals at that time, governed by various unions.  For a similar show to be made, those conditions would no longer render the repeats cost-prohibitive.

There would be a new cast of contemporary singers and the programme structure would change in order that it could be re-edited in a number of ways for a variety of markets and exploitation.  It is likely we would shoot at Wrotham Park as, to our understanding it is still equipped for a show of this technical complexity.

02 - Formats re-structured and re-designed

Three titles to be reformatted for new media

The Least of my Troubles

working title
Stephen Oliver was set to become one of the leading composers of his generation died far too young.  In his too short life composed hit shows such as The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Blondel (with Tim Rice), and over forty operas.  A celebration of composer Stephen Oliver (a personal friend of the producer).  

Glitz and Glamour

working title
Chorus dance from around the world.  From the outset, Bright Thoughts intended Chorus Girl - also known as Darlings of The Chorus - as a spectacular and lavish series and whilst we were funded to develop and research the project, perhaps the production budget was too great for the co-production partners.  Today, the format reimagined for a more modest production.

Wild West and Victoria

working title
Designed as a co-production.  Buffalo Bill's Wild West toured Europe eight times, first in London in 1887 which coincided with the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.  It is as much about the Queen's enjoyment of show(s) and the command performance on 20 June 1887 for her Jubilee guests.​

Background - Project 02.01

'The Least of my Troubles' - a tribute to a short but brilliant career of Stephen Oliver.  ​'Blondel' (composed by Stephen Oliver, lyrics by Tim Rice) had several runs in the West End and in the States;  the RSC's 'Nicholas Nickleby' (directed by Trevor Nun) was another very notable West End success.  Had Stephen not died young, without doubt he would be a household name.  He left behind a catalogue of over 40 operas and works large and small. ​Stephen also wrote for TV and film.

A memorial concert was held when Stephen would have been 60, as reported in The Independent.  Actors and other artists who performed at that concert including Simon Callow, Cantabile (The London Quartet) to be invited to perform and to celebrate the music which Stephen has gifted to us.

Background - Project 02.02

'Glitz and Glamour' - chorus dance around the world.  The entertainment value is obvious but what may surprise most people is how different the chorus girl was in different counties, for example in the UK, the States, and France at the same point in history.  What was acceptable and 'proper' in one country was completely contrasting in another, sometimes deemed scandalous, even obscene.  Routines, presentation, and choreography were markedly different through the decades, different eras and in different countries around the world.

In the original treatment, there was to be no archive material, all routines would be researched and recreated through choreology (dance notation), and performed live.  The series was to be extensive showing how the chorus line varied and how it evolved as an genre of dance.  However, with gathered research and knowledge, it would be less 'epic' to produce as a sociological documentary and use archive footage.

Background - Project 02.03

'Wild West and Victoria' - Not what it would seem at first glance!  This is about the eight European tours of Buffalo Bill's Wild, Wild West Show.  This story tells how the royal family enjoyed the show, William F. Cody's encounters with Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales - later King Edward VII - and also about the riveting command performance on 20 June 1887 for the Queen's Jubilee guests.​

​We are familiar with the success of films about the life and times of Queen Victoria that until recently had been  conveniently 'forgotten' or downplayed, films such as 'Mrs Brown' and 'Victoria & Abdul', both starring Judi Dench.  Whilst this story may not be as personal or intimate, it nevertheless provides insights to the lives and personalities that otherwise would remain hidden, ... plus some dazzling performances!