{"product_id":"book-jvex","title":"Taking It Up the Octave","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe hilarious mishaps and adventures of Opera Sunderland, starring Godfrey James\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStaging opera can be a chaotic business – as this brilliant five-part comedy drama, written by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles, shows. Opera Sunderland has a tradition of performing a new work every season - celebrating \"its umbilical cord to civilisation\". However, when managing director, Dwight Gaggenheim opts for \u003ci\u003eWest Side Story\u003c\/i\u003e over innovative gay opera \u003ci\u003eSt Sebastien\u003c\/i\u003e, the tempers and egos of a multitude of opera-types bubble hilariously to the surface. Even if the divas can agree on a creative direction, there is trouble ahead when the local cash-strapped council wants to use Opera Sunderland’s funding for a public convenience. Things go from bad to worse when Keyboard Ken, a stalwart member of the troupe, collapses and has to be rushed to hospital. Meanwhile, Natasha, Opera Sunderland's prima donna, tours pubs, clubs and local radio stations trying to drum-up an audience. Tensions mount, voices are raised higher than a soprano’s and sparks fly as the cast battle with nerves as first night approaches… After all, the show must go on!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvailable to download for the first time, this chaotic and comedic series features music by Tom Miles and Georges Bizet, and stars \u003cb\u003eGodfrey James\u003c\/b\u003e. Godfrey James is best known for his appearances in classic television series such as \u003ci\u003eThe Avengers\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eZ-Cars\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Sweeney\u003c\/i\u003e as well as \u003ci\u003eDoctor Who\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eEmerdale\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCoronation Street\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCast and credits\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWritten by Fintan Coyle and Tom Miles\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProduced by Chris Neill\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMusic by Tom Miles and Georges Bizet\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDerek - \u003cb\u003eAndrew Branch\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeyboard Ken - \u003cb\u003eTom Miles\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCilla - \u003cb\u003eCarolyn Bonnyman\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGareth - \u003cb\u003eGodfrey James\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNatasha - \u003cb\u003eCaz Weller\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDwight - \u003cb\u003eJonathan Kydd\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJames -\u003cb\u003e Simon Butteriss\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eClaire Long - \u003cb\u003eSally Grace\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingers:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlison Porter\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSusan Jelley\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHenrik Wager\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIan Bloomfield\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBenjamin Davies\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKathryn Jenkin\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSusan Jelley\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJochem van Ast\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12th Jun-10th Jul 1997\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin UK","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49645785678128,"sku":"BDjvex","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/694549-jvex-Square.jpg?v=1742631719","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-jvex","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}