Sir Mark Elder, Braham Murray, Robert Robson, and Kenny Wax reflect on the genesis of this unique collaboration, and of ambitions achieved.

Kenny Wax, Producer

A couple of years ago I was looking for a new project. I remembered very fondly enjoying a hilarious and madcap production of The Three Musketeers back in 1979 which Braham directed and co-wrote with Derek Griffiths at the Royal Exchange. It starred Robert Lindsay as a dashing D’artagnan. I got in touch with Braham – we spoke a couple of times on the phone. Nothing came of it. A few months later the phone rang out of the blue. Braham talked me through his plans for Wonderful Town – he needed a commercial producer – someone with the experience to extend the life of the project beyond its two week run at The Lowry.  You don’t build a reputation like he has at the Royal Exchange without being able to ‘sell’ – and I was sold.