WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG with John Hanson

Presented by Rob Morrison 24th February2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 24th February will feature a 60th anniversary tribute to the John Hanson musical When You’re Young (based on the play Smilin’ Through by Alan Langdon Martin), from the 1966 British touring cast recording starring John Hanson with Lynn Wynters, Dudley Marsh, lona Jones and Carol Dorée.

This will be preceded by an interview with one-time actor/singer (and later, acting teacher and writer) – Nigel Rideout, who performed in the ensemble of the musical during its second British provincial tour.  

The programme will conclude with a selection of solos and duets performed by John Hanson from The Student Prince, The Vagabond King, Lilac Time, The Desert Song, Bitter Sweet and Glamorous Night, in which he is joined by Jane Fyffe, Doreen Hume and June Bronhill.

SUMMER SONG opened in 1956

Presented by Rob Morrison 17th February2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 17th February will feature a 70th anniversary tribute to the Eric Maschwitz musical Summer Song, with the music of Anton Dvorak adapted by Bernard Grun, from the 1956 original London cast recording starring Sally Ann Howes and David Hughes, with Laurence Naismith, Van Atkins, Edric Connor and Bonita Primrose. This will be preceded by an introduction by the British Musical Theatre historian, archivist and author – Rex Bunnett. The programme will conclude with a selection of songs from the Eric Maschwitz, George Posford and Bernard Grun musical Balalaika, from the 1961 Australian studio cast recording featuring Neil Williams and Valda Bagnall, with the orchestra and chorus conducted by Geoff Harvey.

THE MATCH GIRLS – 60th Anniversary

Presented by Rob Morrison 10th February2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 10th February will feature a 60th anniversary tribute to the Tony Russell and Bill Owen musical The Match Girls (inspired by the London match girl workers’ strike of 1888), from the 1966 original London cast recording starring Vivienne Martin, Marion Grimaldi, Gerard Hely, Julia Sutton, Neil Fitzwilliam, Pat Ashton and Kim Grant. This will be preceded by an introduction by the British Musical Theatre historian, archivist and author – Rex Bunnett.

The programme will conclude with a selection of additional songs written for the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival production of the British musical The Queen is Mad (inspired by the life story of 16th Century Spanish Queen Joanna la Loca), by composer Tom McGrath and lyricist Amy Clare Tasker, introduced by Tom.

ON THE LEVEL – Back to school in ’66

Presented by Rob Morrison 3rd February2026

Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 3rd February will feature a 60th anniversary tribute to the Ron Grainer and Ronald Miller musical On the Level, from the 1966 original London cast recording starring Barrie Ingham, Angela Richards and Gary Bond with Phyllida Law, Rod McLennan, Sandra Michaels, Bernard Sharpe, Irlin Hall, Barney Gilbraith, Carolyn Hudson, Sheila White and Robert Cawdron.

This will be preceded by an introduction by the British Musical Theatre historian, archivist and author – Rex Bunnett.

The programme will conclude with a selection of TV and movie themes written by Australian composer Ron Grainer, including those for Doctor Who, Steptoe and Son, The Prisoner, Maigret and other iconic British TV series from the 1960s and ‘70s.