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LS Lowry: The Unheard Tapes

An insight into the secretive 'matchstick men' painter as he guides us through his revealing life story in unheard interviews from the end of his life, lip-synced by Ian McKellen.

The story of the 'matchstick man' painter, one of Britain鈥檚 most beloved artists, revealed as never before through intimate and previously unheard hidden recordings. Recorded by a young fan, Angela Barratt, in 1972, the tapes uncover much about Lowry's life story and the changing north he captured in his iconic paintings. The voices in this film are real, lip-synced by actors Ian McKellen and Annabel Smith.

Available now

59 minutes

Audio described

On TV

Thu 14 May 2026 02:30

Credits

Role Contributor
LS Lowry Ian McKellen
Angela Barratt Annabel Smith
Director Peter Sweasey
Director James Kent
Producer Hannah Mirsky
Executive Producer Morgana Pugh
Production Company Wall to Wall Media

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