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The Mercury Prize shortlist, Colin Spencer and Jon Brittain on gay theatre, Brazilian artist Vivian Caccuri, author Sara Taylor

The Mercury Prize shortlist, playwrights Colin Spencer and Jon Brittain on writing gay characters 50 years apart, Brazilian artist Vivian Caccuri and author Sara Taylor.

David Bowie, Laura Mvula, Radiohead, and grime stars Kano and Skepta, are among the nominees for this year's Mercury Prize for best album, it was announced today. Music journalist Ruth Barnes rates this year's diverse shortlist.

Colin Spencer's Spitting Image - first staged in 1968 when it became the UK's first ever openly gay play - is being revived as part of the King's Head Theatre's Queer Season in London. Meanwhile, Jon Brittain's play about a lesbian couple, Rotterdam, is back in the West End at Trafalgar Studios. Kirsty Lang talks to both writers about writing gay characters but 50 years apart.

Continuing her series of interviews with Brazilian artists in the build-up to the Olympics, Kirsty visits sound artist Vivian Caccuri at her studio in an old biscuit factory.

Sara Taylor won rave reviews for her debut novel The Shore and she's back on winning form with her second novel The Lauras. It tells the story of a mother running away from an unhappy marriage with her 13 year old child Alex, and how the pair bond during a road trip across the US.

Presenter: Kirsty Lang
Producer: Rachel Simpson.

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30 minutes

Last on

Thu 4 Aug 2016 19:15
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Chapters

  • The 2016 Mercury Prize shortlist

    Duration: 06:32

  • Gay Theatre

    Duration: 07:31

  • Vivian Caccuri

    Duration: 06:44

  • Sara Taylor

    Duration: 06:58

The 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize Albums of the Year

The 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize Albums of the Year
The winner of will be announced on 15 September.Β 

Jon Britain on gay theatre

Jon Britain on gay theatre
Rotterdam by until 27 August.Β 
Image credit:Β Β Piers Foley Photography
Spitting Image is playing a the until 27 August.Β 

Vivian Caccuri

Vivian Caccuri

Sara Taylor

Sara Taylor
The Lauras by Sarah Taylor is published by Penguin Random House.Β 

Broadcast

  • Thu 4 Aug 2016 19:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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