ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

In 1958 an extraordinary musical laboratory was opened by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. The Radiophonic Workshop provided music and sound for a wealth of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TV and radio programmes - from The Goon Show to Doctor Who.

Richard Coles explores the achievements of the unit and presents a carefully chosen selection of programmes showcasing the department's work:

* THE ELECTRIC TUNESMITHS

What have Doctor Who, New Worlds and Major Bloodnok's stomach in common? A Radiophonics Workshop signature tune.
George Luce finds out how sounds and tunes are conjured out of springs, shampoo bottles and electronic synthesisers. From ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4, 1971.

* THE DREAMS

One of Delia Derbyshire's ‘Inventions for Radio’ produced in collaboration with the poet and dramatist Barry Bermange for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Third Programme in 1964.

* THE GOON SHOW Series 9 (14/17) The Scarlet Capsule

Professor Ned Quatermass unravels a mystery around some enigmatic blue serge suits.
Stars Spike Milligan. From the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Service, 1959.

* INFERNO REVISITED

Peter Howell’s musical play by Peter Howell inspired by Dante's Inferno, with Alec McCowen as the Guide.
The music was realised at the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radiophonic Workshop. From ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3, 1983

Plus clips of Bath Time (1976), Relativity (1974) and the legendary sound effect of Doctor Who’s TARDIS.

With contributions from Coldcut, Dick Mills and Mark Ayres.

Producer: Elizabeth Jaynes

Made for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 7 and first broadcast in December 2008.

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