Who Could Ask for Anything More? A Celebration of Ira Gershwin

Who Could Ask for Anything More? A Celebration of Ira Gershwin (24 November 1996) was a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in aid of Mencap to celebrate the centenary of Ira Gershwin's birth.[1][2] It was initially broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on 7 December 1996[3] and then for television on BBC Two on 31 December 1996.[4]

Who Could Ask for Anything More? A Celebration of Ira Gershwin
GenreOne-off TV special, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 24 November 1996
Written byIra Gershwin
Directed byPaul Kafno (television)
Creative directorHugh Wooldridge (theatre)
Presented byCharles Dance
David Soul
StarringLarry Adler
Peter Barkworth
John Barrowman
Fiona Benjamin
Daniel Benzali
Sarah Brightman
Leslie Caron
Gerard Casey
Victor Trent Cook
B.J. Crosby
Lorna Dallas
Tim Flavin
Maria Friedman
Debbie Gravitte
Linzi Hateley
Ruthie Henshall
Derek Jacobi
Shona Lindsay
Lorna Luft
Maureen McGovern
Paul Nicholas
Nigel Planer
Michael Praed
Stephanie Pope
Grania Renihan
Liz Robertson
Helen Shapiro
Gareth Snook
Marti Webb
The Gershwin All-Stars: Tracie Bennett / Warren Carlyle William Folan-Conray / Simon Green / Paul Gyngell / Catherine Hoskins / Nicola Hughes / Megan Kelly / Michael McCarthy / Lawrence Merry / Lisa Pavane / Jon Petersen / Emma Tunmore / Dave Willetts
Ensemble: / Julie Barnes / Elizabeth Cooper-Smokler / Julia Ann Dixon / Lisa Donmall / Joantha Dunn / Greg Horsman / Amanda Lavin / Annette McLauglin / Marianne Richards / Claire Taylor / Anne Skates
ComposerVarious
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersIan Martin (for BBC Two)
David Rayvern Allen (for BBC Radio 2)
Production locationsRoyal Albert Hall, London
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time95 mins
Production companiesEuroarts Primetime
HD Thames TV
BBC
A&E Networks
DistributorEuroarts Primetime
Release
Original networkBBC
Original releaseDecember 31, 1996 (1996-12-31)

Background

The show was produced by Ian Martin[5] and directed by Paul Kafno.[6] Those performing included: Peter Barkworth; Tracie Bennett; Sarah Brightman; Tim Flavin; Maria Friedman;[7] Greg Horsman; Derek Jacobi; Nigel Planer;[8] Michael Praed; Helen Shapiro and Dave Willetts. It was hosted by Charles Dance and David Soul.[6][9]

Present at the event were Ira Gershwin's family and the then Prime Minister John Major.[10]

Songs

Songs performed for the show included:[11][12]

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

References
  1. Staff writer (7 November 1996). "Production news". The Stage. p. 55. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  2. Staff writer (19 December 1996). "Light entertainment review: A Celebration of Ira Gershwin". The Stage. p. 17. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  3. Staff writer (5 December 1996). "Who Could Ask for Anything More? BBC Radio 2, 7 December 1996 19.30". Radio Times (3802). p. 122. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  4. Staff writer (31 December 1996). "Who Could Ask for Anything More? BBC Two England, 31 December 1996 19.15". Radio Times (3804). p. 136. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  5. Staff writer (August 2011). "Ian Robert Martin". BAFTA. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  6. Staff writer. "Who Could Ask for Anything More? A Celebration of Ira Gershwin (1996)". British Film Institute (BFI). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  7. "Concerts". About Maria: The Maria Friedman website. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  8. "Planer, Nigel (1953-)". British Film Institute (BFI). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  9. Staff writer. "Who Could Ask for Anything More? A Celebration of Ira Gershwin (1997)". Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  10. "Michael McCarthy". Profs on Stage. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  11. "'IRA GERSHWIN AT 100 – Volume II' (December 1896 – August 1983) 'WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE'". iOffer. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  12. "Ken Mandelbaum's MUSICALS ON DISC: Always, etc". Playbill. 17 August 1997. Retrieved 5 March 2018.

The following archive material relating to the concert is held in the Royal Albert Hall Events collection (RAHE):

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