PREVIEW: Delia Derbyshire - The Myths and Legendary Tapes, BBC Four

Delia Derbyshire: The Myths and The Legendary Tapes is presented as part of the BBC’s programming around the Coventry UK City of Culture 2021.

From British actor and film-maker Caroline Catz (pictured), Delia Derbyshire: The Myths And The Legendary Tapes presents a cinematic exploration of the life and creative output of the Coventry-born electronic musician and sound pioneer, whose creation of the iconic Doctor Who theme tune in 1963 contributed immensely to the awareness and appreciation of electronic music in Britain.

Written and directed by Caroline Catz, who also plays Delia, the film combines dramatisations, archival materials and interviews with Delia’s collaborators, while honouring the BBC Radiophonic Workshop arranger-composer's own questing spirit.

Delia Derbyshire’s story is told through two archives, the first, a collection of lost works, 267 reels of quarter inch magnetic tape recordings of Delia’s work found in her attic after her death and another discovered in Delia’s childhood bedroom during recent renovations that revealed her school books, paintings and keepsakes. Both Delia’s own pieces of music are featured alongside a soundtrack constructed from samples chosen with musician and performance artist Cosey Fanni Tutti from Delia’s attic tapes.

Delia Derbyshire: The Myths And The Legendary Tapes airs Sunday 16th May on BBC Four.