Synopsis

During the 1930s, Ivor Novello crafted a series of musicals that rescued Drury Lane from financial ruin and ensured its prosperity throughout the 1940s and into the early 1950s. This performance celebrates Novello – playwright, composer, actor, and silent film icon – with enduringly beloved pieces like "We'll Gather Lilacs." The evening is narrated by Simon Callow, with Sir Mark Elder conducting the Hallé Orchestra, and featuring solo performances by Toby Spence and Sophie Bevan.