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Theatre takes centre stage in November

2 November 2015

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is putting theatre centre stage this November with a major season of programming that celebrates Britain’s incredible theatre talent, from world-class actors to cutting-edge regional theatre.

Lenny Henry presents Raising the Bar: 100 Years of Black British Theatre and Screen on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two’s major new adaptation of Sir Ronald Harwood’s , starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Ian McKellen, leads the season. Other highlights include:

This Radio 4 series covers a huge span of black British theatre, TV and film - from Ira Aldridge to Steve McQueen and Nina Baden Semper to Bola Agbaje - it’s a great sweep of history that excites and stimulates the imagination
Lenny Henry
  • Lenny Henry presents a 10-part documentary series, on Radio 4. The series tells its story through ten landmark works and events. It spans more than 100 years, from the first professional and successful black actor in Britain to the black performers and productions in the West End mainstream today. The exuberant story of this transformation will cover major markers of the period’s black history, riots and legal injustices.

  • On Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four, Sir Derek Jacobi presents a on the most famous actor of the 18th century, David Garrick. And the series returns as Mark Lawson talks to award-winning writer Sir David Hare, The Dresser writer Sir Ronald Harwood its director Sir Richard Eyre, and Sue MacGregor RSC artistic director Greg Doran and award-winning actor Sir Antony Sher. There is also a showing of Blood and Glitter: 70 Years of the Citizens Theatre, a celebration of Glasgow's innovative 'Citz' featuring Pierce Brosnan, Glenda Jackson, Gary Oldman and other luminaries.
  • On Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One across the regions, eleven documentaries will capture the challenges facing theatres across England. Actors including Sheila Hancock, Antony Sher and Alison Steadman talk about the health of regional theatres and the role they have played in their careers, while narrators of the programmes include Richard Wilson, Maureen Lipman, Derek Jacobi and Miriam Margolyes.
  • CBeebies brings the hit stage show from Manchester International Festival to the screen. The show follows Mr Tumble’s journey from a bouncing baby Tumble to the joyful entertainer familiar to so many.

  • Regular Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts strands and dedicate special programmes to theatre.

  • The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is partnering with Battersea Arts Centre and Arts Council England for Live from Television Centre on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four, a collaboration with independent theatre-makers from across England, bringing them together to create five pieces of genre-busting theatre for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four and iPlayer.

    Live From Television Centre will feature interweaving and eclectic performances from Gecko, Richard Dedomenici, Touretteshero and Common Wealth across a two-hour live broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four on Sunday 15 November at 9pm. Islington Community Theatre will create a fifth performance released exclusively on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer the same day.

    On Stage celebrates the everyday heroism of our theatres, the diversity of the work and talent they support, and the ambition and derring-do that makes British theatre the best in the world
    Jonty Claypole, Director of Arts, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

    The performances will be filmed in the iconic Television Centre complex, the headquarters of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television between 1960 and 2013, at locations within Studio One and the Drama Block.

  • Harriet Walter is curating a season of drama on , including two new productions of powerful Harold Pinter plays in which Walter stars. Also on Radio 3, Sarfraz Manzoor charts the history of Asian theatre in Britain in Making an Entrance.

  • with the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards. The annual Awards, now in their 61st year, celebrate outstanding achievement and performance in London theatre. In October, Radio 2 launched the inaugural Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical on Elaine Paige’s programme, with listeners casting their vote. The winner of the Audience Award will be announced live from the awards ceremony on 22 November 2015, as part of Clare Teal’s Sunday night . On Friday 27 November Anneka Rice presents highlights of the Awards with backstage interviews, performances and reporting from the red carpet.

Read the full for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's On Stage season.

Mark Rylance in Hamlet
Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Anthony Hopkins in The Dresser
Dame Harriet Walters with Jenny Jules in studio for the all-female Donmar Warehouse production of Julius Caesar
Michael Caine
Justin Fletcher & the cast of The Tale of Mr Tumble in rehearsals at Manchester International Festival
Pierce Brosnan backstage at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow during Semi-monde, 1977