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Lucy Porter, Haydn Gwynne and Peter May

Comedian Lucy Porter talks to Claudia about her love of silent cinema, Peter May discusses his latest book and Haydn Gwynne tells us about her role a new musical comedy, inspired by Pedro Almodovar.

Plus we'll also have the latest film and theatre reviews from our critics.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Lucy Porter

Lucy Porter

Comedian joins Claudia to talk about "Slapstick", Bristols silent comedy festival which returnsÌýnext week, with some great guests, rare early films and live music.

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The Slapstick Festival runs from Thursday 22nd until Sunday 25th January across several venues in Bristol town centre - including the Old Vic, Colston Hall and Watershed.

Dominic Maxwell with the theatre reviews

Dominic Maxwell with the theatre reviews

1. Tree at The Old Vic

Comedian and playwright Daniel Kitson joins fellow comic Tim Key for a clever and brilliantly funny two-hander at the Old Vic .It’s early evening in the middle of autumn, it’s just starting to get dark and on a quiet residential street a man with a picnic basket, arrives late, at a tree.

Tree at The Old Vic until Saturday 31st January 2015

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2. Golem at The Young Vic

A comical parody of our reliance on technology where the actor are blended seamlessly with the animated backdrop against which they perform.

Golem at the Young Vic until Saturday 31st January 2015

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3. The Railway Children at Kings Cross Station

The adaptation of E Nesbit’s classic novel The Railway Children is nowÌýat London's King's Cross Station. Set in a new, purpose built 1,000 seat venue, the show features a stage built around a real train track, and a 60-tonne locomotive that steams into the theatre to delight all ages.

A truly unique theatrical experience, The Railway Children returns to London after winning the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and sell-out seasons in its previous home at Waterloo.

The Railway Children Kings Cross Station, booking until 6th September 2015

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Peter May

Peter May

Peter May is an award winning journalist who left newspapers to become a screenwriter for television, and clocked up over a thousand TV credits to his name. He now lives in France where he writes his hugely successful novels which have sold in their millions. He talks to Claudia about his latest book "Runaway".

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Runaway by Peter May is published by Quercus and is out now.

Stephen Daldry

Stephen Daldry

Stephen DaldryÌý directed the critically acclaimed Billy Elliot and the Oscar winning film "The Hours" and is just about to release a brand new film "Trash".

Trash is released in cinemas on Friday 30th January 2015

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Haydn Gwynne

Haydn Gwynne is no stranger to the West End stage having worked for the RSC on many occasions and appeared alongside Kevin Spacey at the Old Vic to mention but a few of her credits. She is currently starring in a new musical in London's West End, based on the Pedro Almadovar film "Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown".

Nick Duncalf with the film review

Nick Duncalf with the film review

1. Whiplash

Director: Damien Chazelle
Cast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser, Austin Stowell, Jayson Blair

Andrew Neyman is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher, an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man's life. Andrew's passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability-and his sanity.

Whiplash is out today rated 15

2. Wild

Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Tom Sadoski, Gaby Hoffman, Kevin Rankin, Michael Huisman

After years of reckless behaviour, a heroin addiction and the destruction of her marriage, Cheryl Strayed makes a rash decision. Haunted by memories of her mother Bobbi and with absolutely no experience, she sets out to hike more than a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail all on her own. This film powerfully reveals her terrors and pleasures - as she forges ahead on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her.

Wild is out now rated 15

3. American Sniper

Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Keir O'Donnell, Max Charles, Owain Yeoman

U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy and courageous exploits earn him the nickname "Legend." However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of the SEAL creed to "leave no one behind". But upon returning to his family, Chris finds that it is the war he can't leave behind.

American Sniper is out now rated 15

4. DVD Boyhood

Director: Richard Linklater
Cast: Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, this film is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason, who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. This drama charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay's Yellow to Arcade Fire's Deep Blue. The film is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting.

Boyhood is out on Monday 19th January 2015 rated 15

Emily Woof

Emily Woof

Emily Woof is an actor, playwright, director and author whose second novel "The Lightning Tree" has just been published.

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The Lightning Tree is out now published by Faber & Faber

Broadcast

  • Fri 16 Jan 2015 22:00