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Frank Skinner interview, Syd Barrett's artwork discussed

John Wilson meets the comedian Frank Skinner, and reviews Mike Leigh's play Ecstasy. Graham Coxon from Blur considers the career of Syd Barrett, as an exhibition of his art opens.

With John Wilson.

Comedian Frank Skinner talks about making the news funny as he prepares to return to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ television with Opinionated, a series which sees him discussing the big stories of the week with guests and a live studio audience at different locations across the country.

Graham Coxon from Blur reviews the exhibition Syd Barrett: Art and Letters which celebrates the original Pink Floyd frontman's work as a visual artist. The show includes previously unseen love letters, sketches and paintings.

Mike Leigh returns to directing for the stage with a revival of his 1979 play, Ecstasy, which follows a group of old friends in a rundown bedsit, just at the point when Margaret Thatcher's government is about to transform the country. Writer and historian Dominic Sandbrook reviews the production.

Novelist Tracy Chevalier - author of the bestselling novel Girl With a Pearl Earring - is one of the judges of this year's Orange Prize for Fiction, the UK's annual book award for fiction written by a woman. With the annoucement of the longlist, John talks to Tracy about this year's selection.

Producer India Rakusen.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Ecstasy

    • Ecstasy

      Mike Leigh returns to directing for the stage with a revival of his 1979 play, Ecstasy. Dominic Sandbrook reviews the show.

      Duration: 05:48

  • Frank Skinner

    • Frank Skinner

      Comedian Frank Skinner talks about making the news funny as he prepares to return to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ television with Opinionated.

      Duration: 08:54

  • Orange Long List

    • Orange Long List

      Novelist Tracy Chevalier is one of the judges of this year's Orange Prize for Fiction, the UK's annual book award for fiction written by a woman.

      Duration: 04:01

  • Syd Barrett

    • Syd Barrett

      Graham Coxon from Blur reviews the exhibition Syd Barrett: Art and Letters.

      Duration: 09:08

Broadcast

  • Wed 16 Mar 2011 19:15

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