in his twenties michæl maxwell’s main interest was writing music for drama. he began as a silent film pianist for the national film theatre, london, going to compose and arrange music for more than 120 drama programmes on tv and radio. he was musical director for the opening of two theatres: the sheffield crucible and the prototype bankside globe playhouse. he met his stage designer wife deirdre clancy on the bbc production trinity tales in birmingham in 1975. the high point of life as a theatre musician was conducting the world premiere of nicholas nickleby in 1981, while london director of music of the royal shakespeare company.