A BUNCH OF RATBAGS – from 1966
Presented by: Rob Morrison 12th May 2026
Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 12th May will feature a 60th anniversary tribute to Peter Pinne and Don Battye’s Australian musical A Bunch of Ratbags (based on the novel by William Dick). From the 2005 Magnormos Music Theatre revival cast recording starring Lyall Brooks, Jessica Enes, Zen Ledden, Nikki Minster, Ben Nicholas, Liam Pedersen, Abbi Richardson, Gregory Ross, Steve Simmons and Louise Van Veenendaal.
This will be preceded by an archival interview that I recorded with composer-lyricist Peter Pinne talking about the musical in 2014.
The program will conclude with selections from the privately issued original 1966 Melbourne cast recording with John Kendall, Yvonne Adams and Helen Harper, plus cover versions of songs from the score performed by Gordon Chater, Miriam Karlin and James Smilie.
SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM – at 50
Presented by: Rob Morrison 5th May 2026
Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast on Tuesday, 5th May will feature a 50th anniversary tribute to the songbook revue Side By Side By Sondheim (featuring the words and music of Stephen Sondheim, plus music by Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, Richard Rodgers and Mary Rodgers), from the 1976 original London cast recording starring Millicent Martin, Julia McKenzie and David Kernan.
This will be preceded by an introduction by the British Musical Theatre historian, archivist and author – Rex Bunnett.
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