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Mel Giedroyc on new musicals showcase, Michael Morpurgo, Bad Santa 2, Penelope Lively

Mel Giedroyc and Gemma Whelan join Maria Friedman for a musicals gala; Penelope Lively returns to writing short stories; Bad Santa 2; Michael Morpurgo on books and war zones.

Game of Thrones meets Bake Off as Mel Giedroyc and Gemma Whelan discuss their involvement in New Songs 4 New Shows, a gala evening showcasing four new musicals currently in development, directed by West End grandee Maria Friedman.

The Booker Prize-winning author Penelope Lively discusses her latest collection of short stories, The Purple Swamp Hen & Other Stories.

After J.K. Rowling sends copies of her Harry Potter novels to a girl in Aleppo, Syria, fellow children's writer Michael Morpurgo discusses the importance of books in war zones.

Billy Bob Thornton reprises his role as the foul-mouthed, whisky-fuelled 'Father Christmas' in Bad Santa 2. Mark Eccleston reviews.

Presenter Kirsty Lang
Producer Marilyn Rust.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Mel Giedroyc on new musicals extravaganza

    Duration: 09:24

  • Michael Morpurgo

    Duration: 05:06

  • Bad Santa 2

    Duration: 04:44

  • Penelope Lively

    Duration: 08:06

Mel Giedroyc, Gemma Whelan and Maria Friedman

Mel Giedroyc, Gemma Whelan and Maria Friedman

-ÌýÌýa star-filled Gala Night premiering four new British musicals: Wigmaker, Fanatical, The Happy Prince, and JoanÌýis at the Lyric Theatre, London on 28 November 2016.

Images:

Main image above: New Songs 4 New Shows: from left - Haydn Gwynne from Wigmaker; Gemma Whelan From Fanatical; Douglas Hodge, writer of Wigmaker; the dancers from The Happy Prince.

Image to the left: Mel Giedroyc in rehearsal for Fanatical

Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo

The's eventÌý 'Afraid of the Dark? in conversation with Nicolette Jones' is at The British Library, LondonÌýon 01 December 2016.

Ìý

Image: Michael Morpurgo

Bad Santa 2

Bad Santa 2

isÌýout nowÌýin UK cinemas, certificate 15.

Ìý

Image:Ìý Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa 2

Penelope Lively

Penelope Lively

Penelope Lively's new book is out now in hardback, in paperback and online.

Ìý

Image: Penelope Lively

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Mel Giedroyc
Interviewed Guest Gemma Whelan
Interviewed Guest Penelope Lively
Interviewed Guest Michael Morpurgo
Interviewed Guest Mark Eccleston
Presenter Kirsty Lang
Producer Marilyn Rust

Broadcast

  • Fri 25 Nov 2016 19:15

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