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Alison Steadman and Hermione Norris in Blithe Spirit

With Kirsty Lang, who reviews Alison Steadman and Hermione Norris in a new staging of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, directed by Thea Sharrock.

Alison Steadman plays Noel Coward's eccentric medium Madam Arcati in a new production of Blithe Spirit, which also stars Hermione Norris. Thea Sharrock, best known for her production of Equus starring Daniel Radcliffe, directs. Peter Kemp has the first-night verdict.

American author Allegra Goodman talks to Kirsty about her best-selling new novel The Cookbook Collector, set in 1999 just before the dot com bubble burst, and featuring two sisters whose differing characters are inspired by Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

Japanese author Haruki Murakami's acclaimed novel Norwegian Wood has been transformed into a film by Vietnamese director Anh Hung Tran (The Scent of Green Papaya, Cyclo). The story follows Toru Watanabe through his student days in the 1960s and explores loss, love and sexuality. Matt Thorne, author of Cherry and Eight Minutes Idle, reviews.

As two new operas based on classic children's literature receive their British premieres, Kirsty talks to the creative teams behind Fantastic Mr Fox and Cautionary Tales about making opera for children.

Producer Philippa Ritchie.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Blithe Spirit

    • Blithe Spirit

      Alison Steadman plays Noel Coward's eccentric medium Madam Arcati in a new production of Blithe Spirit, which also stars Hermione Norris.

      Duration: 05:20

  • Allegra Goodman

    • Allegra Goodman

      American author Allegra Goodman talks to Kirsty about her best-selling new novel The Cookbook Collector.

      Duration: 08:58

  • Norwegian Wood

    • Norwegian Wood

      Japanese author Haruki Murakami's acclaimed novel Norwegian Wood has been transformed into a film by Vietnamese director Anh Hung Tran.

      Duration: 04:33

  • Opera for Kids

    • Opera for Kids

      Kirsty talks to the creative teams behind Fantastic Mr Fox and Cautionary Tales about making opera for children.

      Duration: 09:00

Broadcast

  • Thu 10 Mar 2011 19:15

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