Main content

Helen Mirren, Cyprus Avenue and X, Barrie Rutter, Jem Lester

Helen Mirren on her thriller Eye in the Sky, plus reviews of X and Cyprus Avenue at the Royal Court, Barrie Rutter on Falstaff, and the debut novel from British writer Jem Lester.

Helen Mirren talks about her role as a military intelligence officer in a new thriller about drone warfare, Eye in the Sky.

Two new plays opened at the Royal Court Theatre in London this week: Alistair McDowall's X, set on Pluto and David Ireland's Cyprus Avenue, set in Belfast. In both locations life's certainties unravel. Ian Shuttleworth, who grew up close to Cyprus Avenue, reviews.

Barrie Rutter, founder of Northern Broadsides theatre company, chooses the character of Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor, as part of our Shakespeare's People series.

Jem Lester's debut novel Shtum focuses on 10-year-old Jonah who is severely autistic and told from the perspective of his struggling, alcoholic father. Jem, who has an autistic son, explains why he put his own experience in a work of fiction.

Presenter: Kirsty Lang
Producer: Rachel Simpson.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Helen Mirren

    Duration: 07:25

  • Cyprus Avenue and X reviewed by Ian Shuttleworth

    Duration: 07:01

  • Shakespeare's People: Barry Rutter

    Duration: 03:59

  • Jem Lester

    Duration: 07:03

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren
Eye in the Sky is released on Friday 15 April, certificate 15.

Cyprus Avenue

Cyprus Avenue

Cyprus Avenue is playing at the until 7 May.

Main image: Helen Murray.

X

X
X is playing at the until 7 May.

Shakespeare's People: Barry Rutter

Shakespeare's People: Barry Rutter
production of The Merry Wives is on a UK tour until 28 May 2016.Β 

Jem Lester

Jem Lester

Shtum by Jem Lester is published by Orion Books.

Main image: Helen Ercilla

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Helen Mirren
Interviewed Guest Ian Shuttleworth
Interviewed Guest Barrie Rutter
Interviewed Guest Jem Lester
Presenter Kirsty Lang
Producer Rachel Simpson

Broadcast

  • Fri 8 Apr 2016 19:15

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast