Front Row

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Front Row: Richard Bean on Hull Truck at 50, portrayal of autism on screen, Sheila Heti

16/02/2022

Richard Bean on Hull Truck at 50, portrayal of autism on screen, Sheila Heti

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Richard Bean on Hull Truck at 50, portrayal of autism on screen, Sheila Heti

One Man Two Guvnors writer Richard Bean on his new play for Hull Truck Theatre at 50.

Richard Bean on his new comedy, 71 Coltman Street, recreating the beginning of Hull Truck Theatre at that address 50 years ago. And the portrayal of neuro-diversity on screen.

Comedy writer Sara Gibbs and actor and writer JJ Green discuss the portrayal of autistic characters on TV and film and call for change. 

Half a century ago director Mike Bradwell rented a run-down house in Coltman Street, Hull, gathered a few actor-musicians and started work. Hull Truck Theatre was born. It went on to become one of the most successful and influential companies in the country and is now housed in a beautiful purpose-built theatre. Bradwell had strong views about theatre: plays should be about the kind of people you might meet in Hull, not dead kings. He wasn't keen on jokes, and even less on scripts. So it's a bit of an irony that to celebrate their 50 years Hull Truck has commissioned the playwright Richard Bean, who can't resist a gag - he wrote One Man Two Guvnors - and whose work is carefully wrought and written. Bean, who is from Hull, talks about his  new play 71 Coltman Street which recreates the genesis of Hull Truck Theatre.

Sheila Heti, acclaimed author of Motherhood, talks about the ideas behind her new novel Pure Colour, an experimental story following a woman’s life through college, a love affair, and coming to terms with her father’s death – whilst God considers creating a second draft of the world.  

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Julian May

Main image: Joanna Holden in 71 Coltman Street
Photo credit: Ian Hodgson

BBC Radio 4

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Front Row

Richard Bean on Hull Truck at 50, portrayal of autism on screen, Sheila Heti

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4