Hi folks, I hope this finds you well. Thank you so much for joining me for another episode of my weekly podcast soundtracking,

where I get to enthuse on two of my passions, film and music.

And thank you very much for allowing me that absolute luxury.

And I really do appreciate you taking the time to listen to us.

And I hope that you feel rewarded this week because we have not one, but two guests on this episode in the shape of the wonderful Rob Marshall and Alan Mencken.

Rob has reimagined the 1989 Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid whilst composer Alan Mencken

provided music for both.

Now of course in the original

Alan worked with his long-term partner

Howard Ashman as they

worked on a number of films together

so successfully. And unfortunately

Howard passed away in 1991.

Now, what's a beautiful story, which you'll hear Alan talk about, is that someone who had such

a beautiful relationship with the film came on board to work with Alan on kind of updating the lyrics and creating some new songs for

the film and that was in the shape of the wonderful Lynne Manuel Miranda. I saw this last week and I

really, really enjoyed it. I think for many reasons, I think the new songs work brilliantly. But the most important thing

about this film that I think is striking, powerful and necessary is the performance of the

fantastic Hallie Bailey. I think she is beautiful and powerful in the role of Ariel. So I really, really enjoyed it.

And listen, there's going to be plenty more from Robin Allen in a second. On their own,

it has to be said. But before that, a word from our friends at Mooby. Now, Mooby are a film distributor who just really connect with some absolutely brilliant storytelling.

I want to tell you about season three of their podcast.

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