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Shirley Hughes, The Skriker, Adapting novels for the screen, The Choir

Arts news with John Wilson, including children's writer Shirley Hughes, Caryl Churchill's play The Skriker, and Sadie Jones and Deborah Moggach on adapting novels for the screen.

Shirley Hughes has been illustrating and writing books for children for more than 50 years, including the classics Dogger and the Alfie series. On the day she receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Book Trust she discusses her working process and how she's reflected changes over the years in her work.

When Caryl Churchill's play The Skriker premiered at the National Theatre in 1994, it left the critics dazed and confused. So much so that it's taken 20 years for the play to be staged again in this country. Now it's one of the centrepiece productions of the Manchester International Festival. Charlotte Keatley reviews.

Sadie Jones has just adapted her novel The Outcast as a three-hour 麻豆社1 drama, and Deborah Moggach is currently writing the screenplay of her latest novel Something to Hide for the big screen. Both authors discuss the pros and cons of adapting one's own novel for the screen, and what it's like when another writer is hired to do the job.

The Choir is a new film in which a young boy from a tough neighbourhood suddenly finds himself at one of the most elite private 'boychoir' schools in the country where he faces a tough time trying to come up to scratch under the demands of the headteacher, played by Dustin Hoffman. Antonia Quirke reviews.

Presenter John Wilson
Producer Rebecca Nicholson.

Available now

30 minutes

Clip

Chapters

  • Shirley Hughes

    Duration: 09:37

  • The Skriker

    Duration: 05:24

  • Books to Screen - Sadie Jones and Deborah Moggach

    Duration: 08:51

  • The Choir

    Duration: 03:41

Shirley Hughes

Shirley Hughes
Shirley Hughes on her life's work.

The Skriker

The Skriker

Carol Churchill's play, The Skriker, reviewed.

The Skriker is playing at the until 18 July.

Adapting novels for the screen

Adapting novels for the screen

John Wilson talks to authors Sadie Jones and Deborah Moggach about adapting novels for the screen.

The Outcast by Sadie Jones begins on Sunday 12 July at 9pm on 麻豆社1.

The Choir

The Choir

The Choir starring Dustin Hoffman is reviewed by Antonia Quirke.

The Choir is released on Friday 10 July, certificate PG.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Shirley Hughes
Interviewed Guest Charlotte Keatley
Interviewed Guest Sadie Jones
Interviewed Guest Deborah Moggach
Interviewed Guest Antonia Quirke
Producer Rebecca Nicholson

Broadcast

  • Mon 6 Jul 2015 19:15

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