Main content

Penelope Lively; Julian Fellowes' Romeo and Juliet; Paddy McAloon

Penelope Lively on her memoir; Julian Fellowes' version of Romeo and Juliet; a review of The Tunnel, adapted from TV drama The Bridge; Prefab Sprout songwriter Paddy McAloon.

With Kirsty Lang.

Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, has adapted Romeo And Juliet for the big screen, inserting his own blank verse in the process. Andrew Dickson, the author of The Rough Guide To Shakespeare, delivers his verdict.

Booker Prize-winning novelist Penelope Lively, now in her 80s, discusses the impact of ageing and the fallibility of memory as her memoir Ammonites and Leaping Fish is published.

The Bridge was a Scandi TV drama about a body found on the bridge between Denmark and Sweden and the cultural differences that informed the investigation of the murder. Now it has been adapted for British and French audiences as The Tunnel, with the body found halfway across the Channel Tunnel. Former Times Paris correspondent Kate Muir gives her verdict.

It's 25 years since the band Prefab Sprout enjoyed their greatest chart success with the single The King of Rock 'N' Roll, and a decade since their last album of new material, but now founder-member Paddy McAloon is back with a new disc. He discusses finding inspiration in a school cinema trip to Romeo and Juliet, the effects of tinnitus, and whether a song about a deal with the Devil reflects his own experience of the music business

Producer Ellie Bury.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 11 Oct 2013 19:15
91热爆 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Tom Hanks; Alice Munro; Dana Schutz

Next

The Light Princess; Paul Klee; Enough Said

See all episodes from Front Row

Chapters

  • Romeo and Juliet

    Duration: 04:58

  • Penelope Lively

    Duration: 08:10

  • The Tunnel

    Duration: 04:20

  • Paddy McAloon

    Duration: 10:24

Romeo and Juliet

is in cinemas now certificate PG.

Penelope Lively

Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time by is available in hardback and ebook now.

The Tunnel

begins on Sky Atlantic on Wednesday 16th October at 9pm.

Prefab Sprout

by Prefab Sprout is out now.

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Lang
Interviewed Guest Andrew Dickson
Interviewed Guest Penelope Lively
Interviewed Guest Paddy McAloon
Interviewed Guest Kate Muir
Producer Ellie Bury

Broadcast

  • Fri 11 Oct 2013 19:15
    91热爆 Radio 4

Featured in...

91热爆 Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast

  • Front Row

    Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music