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Sir Ian McKellen to Recreate L.S. Lowry’s Voice in BBC Arena Documentary 'The Unheard Tapes'

The one-hour film marks 50 years since Lowry’s death as part of Arena’s anniversary programming.

Overview

  • McKellen will lip-sync previously unheard recordings of interviews between Lowry and teenage admirer Angela Barratt, captured in the artist’s home.
  • Annabel Smith portrays Angela on screen in reconstructed scenes that complement the archival audio.
  • The film, produced by Wall to Wall for BBC Arts’ Arena strand, carries the public support of the Lowry Estate.
  • Beyond biography, the programme examines the industrial changes in Salford and Greater Manchester that shaped Lowry’s work.
  • BBC Two and iPlayer will carry the one-hour film, with a transmission date to be announced.