Main content

Musical Variations: The Life of Angela Morley

Stuart Barr uncovers the colourful career of British composer and transgender pioneer Angela Morley, formerly Wally Stott. From 2016.

Stuart Barr uncovers the colourful career of British composer and transgender pioneer, Angela Morley.

In 1972, Wally Stott's transition to Angela Morley made front page news. Wally was famous. He was composer for the Goon Show and Hancock's Half Hour, and music director to stars like Frankie Vaughan and Shirley Bassey.

"TV Music Man changes his sex" screamed the headlines. Where would Angela go from here? Stuart talks to Angela's friends and colleagues to discover how she made her mark in the music business, as a woman and a man. And he explores the special qualities of the music she wrote and arranged, from the famous 'Hancock' tuba theme to her work alongside John Williams on blockbusters like Star Wars and Superman.

Producer: Chris Taylor

First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in 2016.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Mar 2024 20:00

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 Feb 2016 11:30
  • Sat 27 Feb 2016 15:30
  • Fri 15 Mar 2024 20:00

Seriously...

Seriously...

Discover more seriously interesting radio documentaries.