BBC commissions first musical, Stop! In the Name of Love! (Motown)

myosotis

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It seems that this will be based on the female singers, so will probably not feature the Jackson Five, sadly.
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The BBC is many things to many people, but it has not been famous for its success in musical theatre: until now.
The corporation is to branch out into musicals as it commissions its first musical drama series, featuring an all-singing cast of Motown stars.

Described as a "unique new form of storytelling" for the BBC, the four-part series will be written by former EastEnders scriptwriter Tony Jordan.

It is part of the BBC's ongoing battle for prime-time audiences, with a series of new commissions designed to capture the popular imagination.

They will include a new version of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream reimagined by the team behind Doctor Who and crammed with special effects, as well as a series of programmes intended to reflect diversity of the BBC's 2015 audiences.

The new musical, called Stop! In the Name of Love!, will be given unique access to the entire back catalogue of the iconic Motown Records for a storyline based around its biggest hits.

The commission, announced at the Edinburgh International TV Festival by head of BBC One Charlotte Moore, will tell the interwoven stories of "six smart, thirty-something women", who will be "singing songs at key moments within the spoken narrative".


The musical series is an unexpected new direction for the BBC, and capitalises on the ever-growing popularity of musicals in the West End and in film adaptations.

Jordan said: “Stop! In The Name Of Love offers something completely different from any other show on television and I am delighted that the BBC has commissioned our ambitious new original drama.

"We’ve been developing the series for the past 18 months and have created a piece of drama that will be unmissable event TV and that truly reflects the multi-cultural world we’ve become.

"The musical arrangements and cutting edge choreography will give us a uniquely modern take on a genre of music that is truly timeless.”

It is part of a series of new announcements for the BBC, which also includes a brand new version of a Midsummer Night's Dream from the team behind Doctor Who.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11825676/BBC-unveils-first-musical-Stop-In-the-Name-of-Love.html
 
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