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Front Row: South Pacific Review, Author Miroslav Penkov

South Pacific Review, Author Miroslav Penkov

25/08/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, South Pacific Review, Author Miroslav Penkov

A revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, and today's music scene on film.

A revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific reviewed; new films on today's music scene; Bulgarian writer Miroslav Penkov; and using music to sell books. With Kirsty Lang.

The award-winning Broadway production of South Pacific, now starring former EastEnder Samantha Womack, has just had its British debut. Until its recent American revival this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, famous for songs such as I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, hadn't been staged on Broadway since its original 1949 run. Critic David Benedict offers his verdict.

Three forthcoming films aim to capture the rock 'n' roll experiences of clubland, festivals and being in a band just about to hit the big time. The familiar settings of Ibiza, warehouse raves and muddy fields are accompanied by loud soundtracks. But can such works ever be authentic? Adil Ray gives his assessment.

Miroslav Penkov, an expatriate Bulgarian writer now resident in Texas, explains why in his new collection of short stories, East of the West, he hopes to tell the world about the rich history of his mother country and paint a picture of Bulgarians away from the clichés involving car thieves and prostitutes.

And Kirsty Lang reports on an independent bookshop in Bath which is finding new ways to engage readers in author events, including the creation of The Bookshop Band. The shop's owner Nic Bottomley got together with local musicians to create original music inspired by books. 


Producer Jerome Weatherald.

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