Last Word

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Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

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Last Word: Olympia Dukakis (pictured), Eric McGraw MBE, Anthony Thwaite

Olympia Dukakis (pictured), Eric McGraw MBE, Anthony Thwaite

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, Olympia Dukakis (pictured), Eric McGraw MBE, Anthony Thwaite

Matthew Bannister on an actor, an editor and a poet.

Matthew Bannister on actor Olympia Dukakis, editor Eric McGraw and poet Anthony Thwaite.

Matthew Bannister on:

Olympia Dukakis, the Greek-American actor who won an Oscar for playing Cher’s mother in Moonstruck and became an LGBT icon after playing Anna Madrigal in Tales of the City. Its author Armistead Maupin pays tribute.

Eric McGraw who founded and edited a magazine for prisoners called “Inside Time”. Former inmate Noel “Razor” Smith explains how it changed the course of his life.

Anthony Thwaite, the poet, editor and critic who was a pivotal figure in British literary life. The former poet laureate Andrew Motion pays tribute. 


Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Gregory Pappas 
Interviewed guest: Armistead Maupin
Interviewed guest: Rachel Billington 
Interviewed guest: Noel ‘Razor’ Smith
Interviewed guest: Ann Thwaite 
Interviewed guest: Andrew Motion

Archive clips used: Hardtalk: BBC One, TX 19.3.2001; In Living Memory: Strangeways riot: Radio 4, TX 20.4.2005

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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Last Word

Olympia Dukakis (pictured), Eric McGraw MBE, Anthony Thwaite

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