Expresso Bongo [scenes]

Summary: 1958 BBC presentation of scenes from the musical Expresso Bongo, televised directly from the Saville Theatre, London.
Theatre play: Expresso Bongo by Wolf Mankowitz and Julian More [more information]
Play synopsis: A musical play which satirizes the exploitation of the young by publicity men and managers in show business. ‘Johnny, a slimy, small-time music promoter and talent scout, notices teenage girls going crazy for the singing and bongo playing of talentless and seemingly idiotic Herbert Rudge. Johnny rechristens Rudge as Bongo Herbert and signs him to a contract that gives Johnny a 50% share of the profits. With Johnny’s help, Bongo rockets to stardom. Bongo’s success attracts a host of sleazy music industry types intent on exploiting him. Johnny quickly finds himself outclassed in the sleaze department as Bongo turns out to be the slipperiest slime of them all.' Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expresso_Bongo.
Production history: Premiere: Saville Theatre, London, 23 April 1958. Turned into a film in 1959.
Date of transmission: Thursday 11 December 1958
Time: 8.45-9.30pm
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC

Director

William Chappell

Television Presentation by

Playwright

Playwright

Composer

Composer

Lyrics

Lyrics

Musical Direction

Burt Rhodes

Decor

Loudon Sainthill

Costumes

Jocelyn Rickards

Cast

Title: Expresso Bongo: A New English Musical (Newspaper review)
Reference: The Times, 24 April 1958, p. 3
Linking notes: n.b. this is a review of the stage production, not the televised excerpt.

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