|
Top C's EncoreBY SPECIAL REQUEST AND POPULAR DEMAND
|
The Top C's Encore Project
01 - Top Cs & Tiaras™ REVISIT
Top C's Revisited (w/t) - A simple retrospective whereby 40 years on, a presenter/host perhaps a DJ from a radio show such as ClassicFM takes a 'limo' with soprano Marilyn Hill Smith and baritone Peter Morrison (both now retired from singing) to visit the location for the popular Sunday night series Wrotham Park again for drinks and chats in main rooms and some walkabouts in opulence of the house and grounds.
The presenter asks questions encouraging Marilyn and Peter about some of the memorable moments and songs from the series and exchange anecdotes. These informal (loosely scripted) reminiscences recorded in just one afternoon, then edited and intercut with the clips of the original 1980s items remastered to HD broadcast standard.
The presenter asks questions encouraging Marilyn and Peter about some of the memorable moments and songs from the series and exchange anecdotes. These informal (loosely scripted) reminiscences recorded in just one afternoon, then edited and intercut with the clips of the original 1980s items remastered to HD broadcast standard.
02 - Top Cs & Tiaras™ REMAKE
'Top C's Revisit' (w/t) to serve as a pilot for a new 2024/25 production and series. For the new shows, Marilyn Hill Smith and Peter Morrison as a presenters to 'top and tail' each show, to also do some links, talk to fellow artists, ... not dissimilar to the way the Opera House uses singers as presenters for 'live relays' and 'event cinema' to do the behind-the-scenes chats with the maestro, designer, some of the artists, and the like.
Marilyn and Peter are the ideal choice to provide continuity in this new way to existing audiences and to a new generation. This could also work co-hosting with perhaps the DJ presenter from the pilot/trailer (above).
Marilyn and Peter are the ideal choice to provide continuity in this new way to existing audiences and to a new generation. This could also work co-hosting with perhaps the DJ presenter from the pilot/trailer (above).
Marilyn Hill Smith
|
Even 40 years after TOP C’s was first shown I still meet people who adored the series, who ask why it has never been reshown, and why, despite its massive success and popularity, there has never been another such programme, before or since. There is clearly a vast audience of lovers of light music and operetta, who remain neglected these days, and the unique format of this series, with its informality, but splendidly researched and presented music, would perfectly fill this gap, and inevitably drawing new devotees to the programme.
|
Peter Morrison
|
Having appeared in very many TV shows, the combination of stand-up performance with a feature song for each singer and then the informal rehearsal elements, plus the elegance of Wrotham Park, not like anything I've ever done before or since. A remake of Top C's is 'a must', audiences are missing out on a huge amount of enjoyment and fun!
|
By design
As a producer of this music programme, I wanted us to get away from the proscenium arch and concert platform, liberate us from elaborate sets and costumes and also get away from doing a complete production. I prefer to focus on the music itself, dig deeper beyond just the handful of titles that are always popular and delve into the much greater repertoire with more composers, perhaps some not so well known. See if it 'stacks-up', let's see what we can find and if it's still as good as when it was originally popularised.
Beyond all expectation, when we produced the first shows there was a 'magic' not only for what came across to our audiences but also very much with our ensemble, with the orchestra, and indeed the musical arrangers and the whole production team! The orchestrations so rich, colourful and diverse, seemingly a never-ending source of memorable rhythm and song covering every emotion to study and to savour. The viewer response sent clear messages that there is indeed a thirst for more.
The star of the show and the main secret to success is the Musical Direction, the musical arrangements, and the format itself.
The repertoire is extensive with 100s of titles to select from week-on-week by countless composers, the genre regarded as 'popular' and 'light classical'.
Beyond all expectation, when we produced the first shows there was a 'magic' not only for what came across to our audiences but also very much with our ensemble, with the orchestra, and indeed the musical arrangers and the whole production team! The orchestrations so rich, colourful and diverse, seemingly a never-ending source of memorable rhythm and song covering every emotion to study and to savour. The viewer response sent clear messages that there is indeed a thirst for more.
The star of the show and the main secret to success is the Musical Direction, the musical arrangements, and the format itself.
The repertoire is extensive with 100s of titles to select from week-on-week by countless composers, the genre regarded as 'popular' and 'light classical'.
Neil Anthony, Creative Director
NOTE: The trademark for this unique property is owned by the Bright Thoughts Company to exploit the brand and the modular format. The brand is based on the title of the TV hit series. Nearly 40 years after its initial broadcast 'Top C's and Tiaras'™ continues to have ongoing brand recognition. Over the years, the name has become a form of shorthand for the popularisation of operetta and musical comedy.
