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BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Olivier

Toby Jones

Clive Brill

Philip Ziegler

Book of the Week: Olivier: Episode 4

Factual: Life Stories

Olivier

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Olivier, Episode 4

Olivier's tenure running the Old Vic is a great success but comes to an abrupt end.

Olivier's tenure running the Old Vic in war-torn London is a great success, but he receives a nasty shock. Read by Toby Jones.

Published when the National Theatre turned 50 in 2013, Philip Ziegler's biography, based on previously unseen letters and diaries, tells the story of Laurence Olivier as he developed his craft, focusing on his career path from early school days through rep theatre to Hollywood, before returning to triumph in his greatest role ever, as the first director of the National Theatre.

Episode 4:
Olivier and Ralph Richardson revitalize The Old Vic Theatre Company in war-torn London but, when he departs to tour Australia, he receives a nasty shock from the Theatre's Board.

Reader: Toby Jones

Producer: Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4.

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

Biography of Laurence Olivier, based on previously unseen letters and diaries

Philip Ziegler's biography of Laurence Olivier, based on previously unseen letters and diaries. Read by Toby Jones

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