Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Elaine Paige and Judy Craymer join a host of talent from the world of British Musical theatre to contribute to a new BBC Four series, The Story of Musicals.

Produced by Twofour Broadcast, the 3 x 1 hour episodes explore the history of London’s West End, where musicals in all their audacious, creative and staggering glory have captivated audiences and provided the sound track for our lives.

The series will tell the story of how British musical talent grew from unpromising beginnings in the period after the Second World War – reclaiming the West End from American domination
to become a driving force behind musical theatre around the world.

It’s a tale of titanic shows, phenomenal daring and prodigious talent – all set in one square mile.

The series contains first -hand accounts from a glittering array of producers, performers, composers, impresarios, directors, choreographers and lyricists who have been the major creative powerhouses behind British musical theatres’ biggest successes.

Wtach episode 3 on January 17th, 9pm on BBC Four.