A synopsis of the plot on the original cast album (just reissued on CD by Sony) speaks of ‘a future as gay as the past’ Well, yes. .So, 40 years on, where stands Salad Days now? Tomorrow night on Radio 2 for starters. In a unique three-way production deal, fronted by the aptly named independent company Unique Broadcasting, a starry new recording has been licensed to EMI Records and the BBC: EMI puts out an album of the songs, the BBC a 75-minute version with dialogue to slot into its ongoing series of great musicals.Back in April of this year, the old Beatles studio at Abbey Road was jumping to rather different tunes Different, but no less venerable. First to catch the ear was the forgotten sound of two pianos, string bass, and drums The Lyons Corner House sound. Three producers were crammed into the tiny control room (one for EMI, two for the BBC).

Music director John Owen Edwards was on the studio floor coaxing Josephine Tewson, Timothy West and Prunella Scales through the first number of the day. The Wests were taking their singing obligations frightfully seriously: ‘That’s a relief, darling,’ exclaimed Prunella Scales ‘I didn’t think we were allowed to breathe there. I hope to God it sounds better where you are than it does down here.’ Owen Edwards, meanwhile, was sorting out piano embellishments with Jonathan Cohen and Mark Dorrell: ‘Too twinkly, Cohen – too Welsh – less lace-work please]’ Such was the rush to get the original show on, the second piano part had never been written down. And then there was the little matter of Minnie, the magic piano. Mrs Mills’ old upright (remember her?) was making a timely comeback.You don’t mess with the sound of Salad Days.

A few added strings would totally alter the complexion – Palm Court as opposed to the piano-led spirit of revue. One revival even tried spicing up the arrangements with a touch of – hell’s teeth – synthesiser.’The whole point,’ says Owen Edwards, ‘is that it’s a period piece You have to be true to that. I’m actually being quite ruthless about things like rhythm and rubato. Jazz up the rhythm even a little and you throw off balance the relaxed way in which the tunes just kind of trip off the keys Often the tiniest rubatos can sound out of character The piano, bass and drums combination magnifies everything.