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  4. 16/06/2009

16/06/2009

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Last broadcast on Tue, 16 Jun 2009, 19:15 on BBC Radio 4 (FM only).

Synopsis

Arts news and reviews.

Nina Bawden's novel, Carrie's War, was based on her own experiences of being evacuated to a Welsh mining village during WWII. Now, as a stage production of Carrie's War starring Prunella Scales opens in London's West End, Nina Bawden shares her memories and explains how evacuation politicised her forever.

The Take is the latest big-budget Sky 1 TV drama, an adaptation of a novel by bestselling author Martina Cole. Set in the criminal underworld of London's East End, The Take follows the fortunes of the Jackson family across a decade that takes in the height of Thatcherism through to the birth of New Labour. Crime novelist Dreda Say Mitchell reviews the drama.

Mark Lawson reports from The Wedgwood Museum near Stoke-on-Trent, one of four shortlisted contenders for the 2009 Art Fund Prize. Director Gaye Blake Roberts explains the long struggle to re-house the collection and archives of Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, and local MP Mark Fisher discusses the importance of the museum to Stoke's history.

The premiere is taking place of a new piece by composer Michael Berkeley, inspired by the sounds of humpback whales. As Berkeley started composing the piece, his family friend Gabriel Bailey died, at the age of 21; shortly after that, the conductor Richard Hickox, a long time friend and collaborator of Berkeley, also died. The composition is dedicated to the memory of both men. Michael Berkeley talks to Mark about the sad chain of events which led to this piece.

THE TAKE

The Take starts on Sky One tomorrow at 9 pm.

GABRIEL'S LAMENT

The world premiere of Gabriel's Lament by Michael Berkeley, performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, can be heard live on BBC Radio 3 at 7.00 pm on Friday.

Further Info

WEDGWOOD MUSEUM - Arts Fund Prize Contender

The Wedgwood Museum is open every day - except 24 December 2009 to 1 January 2010 inclusive.

Wedgwood Museum

ART FUND PRIZE

On Thursday the winner of the £100,000 Art Fund Prize for museums and galleries will be announced on Front Row

Art Fund Prize Website

WEDGWOOD CAMEO

Mark Lawson captured in cameo using one of the museum's interactive digital exhibits. Image courtesy of the Wedgwood Museum Trust, Barlaston, Stafforshire.

NINA BAWDEN - Carrie's War

Adaptation is by Emma Reeves and the Director is Andrew Louden.
Carrie's War is at the Domestic Apollo Theatre in London from 18 June until 12 September.

Broadcast

  1. Tue 16 Jun 2009
    19:15

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