Category: Factual & Arts TV; Radio 2; Radio 4
Date: 11.07.2006
Printable version
To mark the centenary of his birth, 91Èȱ¬ TWO and 91Èȱ¬ Radio present a series of programmes about poet John Betjeman.
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John Betjeman is still remembered as one of Britain's best loved poets - a man
who celebrated Britain in a triumphantly popular career as a poet and
broadcaster.
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His Collected Poems, first published in 1958, has sold over two
million copies to date.
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This August, the 91Èȱ¬ celebrates his life and work in three films for 91Èȱ¬ TWO, a special documentary on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 and dedicated programming across 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4.
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91Èȱ¬ TWO (August)
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In Betjeman and Me: Griff Rhys Jones, Griff offers a fresh perspective on
Betjeman's poetry.
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Often perceived as twee and trivial, Griff argues his work
shows unexpected edge and depth, and still has relevance today.
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He explores what
Betjeman's poetry says about Britain today - what we have lost and what we have
gained.
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Contributors include Joanna Lumley, Dame Edna Everage and John
Mortimer.
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In the second film, architectural historian Dan Cruickshank journeys to the
places and buildings that were important to Betjeman, from St Pancras Station in
London to Magdalen College, Oxford - things he campaigned for or wrote about.
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This is a very personal film for Dan who worked alongside Betjeman at the
Architectural Review and who campaigned with him to save the Georgian houses in
Spitalfields - Dan now lives in one of the houses.
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In Betjeman and Me: The Rick Stein Story, Rick Stein takes an affectionate look
at the poet's love of the English seaside holiday and his deep affection for
Cornwall.
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Travelling around Cornwall, Rick meets people who remember Betjeman's
visits.
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The programme culminates in a feast cooked by Rick for guests including
Betjeman's daughter Candida, and Jonathan Steddall, one of Betjeman's great
friends and the director of his last television series.
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91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 (Tuesday 29 August)
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Musician
and composer Jim Parker presents The Bard of Suburbia, the tale of how,
together, he and John Betjeman produced four best-selling albums of poetry and music.
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Using
this work as a background, Jim Parker follows Betjeman's life from birth in a
north London suburb to death in a Cornish village.
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There are contributions from
those who knew and worked with him - the Barrow Poets, the late Philip Larkin, Judi Dench, Prunella Scales and television producer Eddie Mirzoeff.
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91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 (from Saturday 26 August)
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On Sunday 27 August, a special Poetry Please presented by Roger McGough will
explore Betjeman's legacy.
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With contributions from Stephen Fry, Miriam Margolyes and Samuel West.
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On Monday 28 August, 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 will host a Betjeman Day with special
programming throughout the day, including an Afternoon Reading of correspondence between Betjeman and those he worked with.
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Extracts
from his poetry can be heard throughout the day in special drop-ins between and
during regular programming.
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There will be a special Woman's Hour Drama throughout the week, Betjeman's
Women, exploring the characters in his poetry; an Archive Hour looking at
Betjeman's long association with the 91Èȱ¬; and a documentary, The Lesser Known
Betjeman, will reveal the man behind the poetry.
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You And Yours will revisit some
of the towns Betjeman wrote about and there will be a repeat of Summoned By
Bells, an hour-long drama based on Betjeman's famous poem.
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Notes to Editors
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91Èȱ¬ FOUR is showing Metro-Land, Summoned
by Bells and A
Passion for Churches at the end of August.
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91Èȱ¬ TWO is showing Reputations
- John Betjeman - The Last Laugh on Monday 14 August.
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KG/HN/LS/AP/EH
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