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Front Row: Diversity at the Oscars and Baftas; plays and the cost of living; children's books; Phyllida Barlow

Plays about the cost of living crisis, and are the Oscars making progress on representation?

Diversity at the Oscars and Baftas; plays and the cost of living; children's books; Phyllida Barlow

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Diversity at the Oscars and Baftas; plays and the cost of living; children's books; Phyllida Barlow

After the Oscars and Baftas, Tom discusses diversity at awards and in the film industry.

After the Oscars and Baftas - diversity at awards and in the film industry. Making a drama out of the cost of living crisis. Books for 7 to 13-year-olds. Phyllida Barlow in 2019.

The conclusion of the Oscars marks the end of the film awards season, so Front Row took the opportunity to look at the progress made on representation in film and at awards. Tom is joined by the film critic Amon Warmann, Katherine Pieper of LA's Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which looks at equalities at the Oscars, and Marcus Ryder of the Lenny Henry Centre For Media Diversity.

Plus, with a host of new productions exploring the cost of living crisis, we look at how playwrights are tackling this. Writer Emily White talks about her new play, Joseph K and the Cost of Living, being staged as part of a three-part project at the Swansea Grand Theatre, and the writer and critic Sarah Crompton discusses theatre's response to social and political issues on stage.  

Bex Lindsay, presenter on Fun Kids Radio and children’s books expert, joins us for a round-up of some of the most interesting and engaging new releases for young independent readers.  

Books discussed:
Like A Curse by Elle McNicoll
Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief/The Phantom Rider by AF Steadman
Jamie by L D Lapinski
Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels by Tola Okogwu
I Spy, A Bletchley Park Mystery by Rhian Tracey
Saving Neverland, by Abi Elphinstone

Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe
Producer: Emma Wallace

Main Image: Michelle Yeoh

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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Front Row

Diversity at the Oscars and Baftas; plays and the cost of living; children's books; Phyllida Barlow

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