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Front Row: Joseph O'Connor, Paula Rego retrospective, The role of the film critic

17/06/2019

Joseph O'Connor, Paula Rego retrospective, The role of the film critic

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Joseph O'Connor, Paula Rego retrospective, The role of the film critic

Joseph O’Connor on his latest novel Shadowplay, about the author of Dracula, Bram Stoker

Bestselling author Joseph O’Connor talks about his latest novel Shadowplay, which explores the friendship between writer Bram Stoker and actor Henry Irving.

Joseph O’Connor, whose book Star of the Sea was critically acclaimed and a global bestseller, talks about his latest novel Shadowplay.  Taking the well-known presumption that Bram Stoker based the character of Dracula on the Shakespearean actor Henry Irving, Shadowplay is about the close collaboration and intense friendship between Stoker, Irving and his famous acting partner Ellen Terry. 

Portuguese-born artist Dame Paula Rego's work across paint, pastel, etching and fabric is often based on children's folktales. But the animals and people that populate her work convey tough political messages. A new exhibition at the recently extended and remodelled MK gallery in Milton Keynes offers an edited retrospective of the 84 year old artist's substantial body of work. Art critic Louisa Buck reviews. 

Pauline Kael was a film critic renowned for her personal writing style that combined scathing wit and passion. In the week she would have turned 100, film critics Tim Robey and Gavia Baker Whitelaw consider her work, what makes a perfect review and the role of the critic in the digital age. 

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Edwina Pitman

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