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Top C's & Tiaras

NOTES:  Top C's & Tiaras looks at operetta and musical comedy from around 1850 (Paris) through to about the 1950 (New York).  The one hour pilot for Channel 4 [currently missing in the British Film Archive] was recorded at the Warwick Arts Trust, Pimlico, Olympic sound-studios, London, and on location in Central London.

Top C's & Tiaras 2 was a special for a peak-time slot on a Bank Holiday, designed as fast-moving, popular non-stop music.  Recorded at Odyssey sound-studios, Kew Gardens, and other London locations [also currently missing in the British Film Archive].

The Top C's & Tiaras Series were all recorded (by Barcud) at a stately home for reasons of being able to do a weekly turnaround.  All shows one hour transmission.  Burt Rhodes (music associate) and orchestra conducted by Harry Rabinowitz.  The ensemble singers included Marilyn Hill Smith (soprano), Peter Morrison (baritone) and guest stars including Benjamin Luxon.  Our tenors included Hugh Hetherington, Ramon Remedios, Neil Jenkins, David Fieldsend, and our mezzo sopranos included Jean Bailey, Della Jones, Eirian James, and Linda Ormiston.  Host American soprano Julia Migenes.

Each episode features different themes within operetta with new musical arrangements for each.  The musical line-up being played by full orchestra, piano-only, and also an octet:  
  • Ep 1 - ‘This Will Be My Shinning Hour’ (TX 29/04/84)
  • Ep 2 - 'The Best of All Possible Worlds' (TX 06/05/84)
  • Ep 3 - 'One Night of Love' (TX 13/05/84)
  • Ep 4 - 'Dance Little Lady' (TX 20/05/84)
  • Ep 5 - 'Play To Me Gypsy' (TX 27/05/84)
  • Ep 6 - 'When Vienna Sings' (TX 03/06/84)​
Commissioning Editor: Cecil Korer

The Top C's project

Produced and transmitted between 1982 and 1985, the concept was designed for a prime-slot, to be popular in the TV ratings.

The Top C's story

This genre of music was (and is) under represented on TV, popular entertainment with familiar titles and memorable tunes.

What they say

We received a regular mail bag which included viewers requests for song titles.  Read some brief extracts from letters and other articles.

Songbook & CDs

The songbook of the series is still available to purchase, the CD set by Marilyn Hill-Smith and Peter Morrison was produced independently.

Channel 4 

"Top Cs won the channel’s most enthusiastic response by phone and letter for its stylish rediscovery of the middle ground of operetta."

Digital recording

NOTE:  All programmes were simultaneously recorded on 64-track for re-editing for CD release, video, merchandising and commercial exploitation.
The YouTube clips in the following pages are by viewers from their VHS tapes.  As producer of this series I am unable to endorse nor vouch for their editing.