Acclaimed actor James Anthony-Rose brings legendary percussionist James Blades back to the stage in this piece of theatre magic being developed for BBC Radio 3.

Come and be part of a drama-documentary, recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3. This unique performance journeys through the life and work of James Blades (1901–1999), one of the most highly-regarded percussionists of the 20th century. From his obscure beginnings as a circus drummer and accompanist for silent movies at the Wisbech Hippodrome, to his career on the international classical concert-hall stage, Blades also became a long-term collaborator of Benjamin Britten. Through the magic of theatre, Blades will take the stage once again at Snape Maltings, with an array of instruments and a fund of stories.

Blades habitually toured a percussion-lecture nationwide, and this show reimagines one of these, with demonstrations of instruments and techniques, and anecdotes and revelations, as James Anthony-Rose tells the story of this remarkable life, together with a celebration of the power and mystery of Blades’s extraordinary talent and career.

James Anthony-Rose James Blades, writer
Robin Brooks writer
Sam Wilson percussion
Tomi Rose music director
Fiona McAlpine director, producer