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Top C's & Tiaras™BRIGHT THOUGHTS COMPANY PRODUCTIONS
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Nonstop music . . .
The original Bright Thoughts treatment offered Channel 4 innovations which simply could not be logistically achieved at that time by staff directors and producers at an ITV or BBC studio. Therefore this format could only be produced by an independent production company.
Top C's & Tiaras™
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 lavish Downton Abbey-like stately home Wrotham Park for reasons of being able to do a weekly turnaround. All shows one hour transmission starring American soprano Julia Migenes*. 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.
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:
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 lavish Downton Abbey-like stately home Wrotham Park for reasons of being able to do a weekly turnaround. All shows one hour transmission starring American soprano Julia Migenes*. 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.
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)
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Commissioning Editor: Cecil Korer
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*Note: Julia Migenes went on to star in Carmen (1984 film) in the lead role opposite Placido Domingo, directed by Francesco Rosi. The film won many awards and after which Julia decided to focus her career not in the UK.
The Top C's Concept |
Musical Extracts |
The Top C's Story |
Reviews & Notices |
Songbook & CDs |
Channel 4 Responses |
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Digital recordingNOTE: All programmes were simultaneously recorded on 64-track for re-editing for CD release, video, merchandising and commercial exploitation.
Any YouTube clips are by viewers from their VHS tapes.
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