Pioneering electronic artist, Delia Derbyshire is the focus of a lovingly directed feature length docu-drama called ‘ Delia Derbyshire - The Myths & Legendary Tapes’ from BBC Four.
Starring and directed by Caroline Catz, the film recreates the non conformist life of Delia Derbyshire in her unwaivering pursuit of electronic music as a a serious artform from the 1950’s onward, long before it was accepted by popular culture. The dramatisation is accompanied by narration from Delia herself in the form of original interviews, alongside interviews from fellow BBC Radiophonic Workshop members, while Cosey Fanni Tutti reworks 267 newly discovered unheard tapes into the soundtrack.
According to the Press Release : “This is a life story told through sound, using both Delia’s own pieces of music alongside a soundtrack constructed from samples chosen with musician and performance artist Cosey Fanni Tutti from Delia’s attic tapes. It explores the fantasy of a collaboration, an exchange of ideas across eras between two fascinating musicians. It celebrates independence and imagination and looks at how, when that energy is evoked by women and creates a spark, the pattern seen throughout history is that it is often dismissed, ridiculed or downplayed. A cinematic exploration of a legendary musical figure, written and directed by Caroline Catz, who also plays Delia.”
Available To Watch on BBC Four now :