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Front Row: Eric Idle, Halloween, Cicely Berry remembered, The House of Commons library

18/10/2018

Eric Idle, Halloween, Cicely Berry remembered, The House of Commons library

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Eric Idle, Halloween, Cicely Berry remembered, The House of Commons library

Python Eric Idle on his autobiography. The 11th film in the Halloween franchise reviewed.

Monty Python's Eric Idle on his life and career; the 11th film in the Halloween franchise reviewed; the House of Commons library at 200; and Cicely Berry remembered.

Eric Idle is of course a member of the comedy phenomenon Monty Python.  His autobiography, or as he fashions it sortabiography, is called Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, after the song he wrote for the end of the troupe’s controversial 1979 film, Life of Brian.  He’ll be talking about his role in Python, his career, his friendships with the likes of George Harrison and David Bowie, and the creation of Spamalot.

The latest Halloween film is the 11th in the long-running Halloween franchise. Ignoring all but the original 1978 film to which it is a direct sequel, the 2018 movie is set 40 years later with with Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Castle reprising their roles as final girl Laurie Strode and masked murderer Michael Myers. Critic Hannah Woodhead reviews.

With the announcement of the death of Cicely Berry, the legendary voice coach whose seminal work at the RSC revolutionised how actors thought of their voices, we hear from her in her own words.

The House of Commons library has opened its doors to Front Row for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour in honour of its 200th anniversary. It has survived air raids, fires and changes of government, but still little is known about this political institution, with access to the general public seldom granted. It not only houses Greek classics, biographies and historical treasures, but also acts as a vital source for MPs, researching and fact-checking policies and questions for the House.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Edwina Pitman

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