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14/11/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Oscar and Al Pacino

An exclusive interview with Al Pacino about his passion for Oscar Wilde.

Al Pacino played the part of Herod on stage in Oscar Wilde's Salome. In conversation with Mark Rickards, he describes how this inspired his drama documentary on the play.

Al Pacino has played the part of Herod on stage in Oscar Wilde's play 'Salome'.
He became fascinated by the play, which was once described by The Times as 'morbid, bizarre, repulsive and very offensive.' 
'This,' says Pacino, 'is the story of an obsession'. 

In conversation with Mark Rickards, Al Pacino describes the inspiration he has found in Wilde's work. He first saw the play performed by Steven Berkoff, and says that he was 'bitten by the rub of love.' He made the decision to stage it for a theatre in Los Angeles, and to film the process of putting it on stage. The end result is the extraordinary 'Wilde Salome', a blend of drama and documentary directed by Al Pacino himself. 

The programme features an exclusive contribution from Al Pacino on his interpretation of Oscar Wilde's work, extracts from the film, and contributions from producer Barry Navidi and Wilde's grandson, Merlin Holland. Al Pacino says he has a taste for 'making movies where I can just make it up as I go along.'

This is a chance to hear from one of the world's greatest actors on one of the world's greatest writers.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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