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Michael Keaton, Herons, Helen Ellis, John Bratby exhibition

Featuring Michael Keaton on Spotlight, a review of Simon Stephens's play Herons, Helen Ellis on American Housewife, her book of short stories, and the John Bratby exhibition.

Michael Keaton discusses Spotlight, the Oscar-nominated film about a team of investigative journalists at the Boston Globe who in 2002 uncovered widespread child abuse in the Catholic Church.

The playwright Simon Stephens is well known for his gritty, hard-hitting dramas, as his play Herons demonstrates. It's a disturbing portrait of adolescent violence experienced by 14-year-old Billy, who is tormented by local bullies. First performed in 2001, it now returns to the stage in a new production by Sean Holmes, Artistic Director at London's Lyric, Hammersmith. Henry Hitchings reviews.

US Blogger and novelist Helen Ellis counts Margaret Atwood amongst her fans. Kirsty talks to her about her humorous collection of stories, American Housewife.

The painter John Bratby became famous for his paintings of dustbins and the interiors of lavatories in the '50s and '60s. Dismissed by some as a 'Kitchen Sink' artist, but celebrated by many, he was such a prolific artist that he is believed to have painted over 3,000 works. The majority of those are owned by the public and many have been brought together in an exhibition at the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings. Curator Liz Gilmore and David Bratby discuss his work.

Presenter: Kirsty Lang
Producer: Rebecca Armstrong.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Michael Keaton

    Duration: 08:12

  • Herons reviewed by Henry Hitchings

    Duration: 05:14

  • John Bratby

    Duration: 07:04

  • Helen Ellis

    Duration: 07:04

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton talks on his Oscar-nominated film, Spotlight.聽
Spotlight is released on Friday 29 January, certificate 15.聽

Herons

Herons
Simon Stephens's play Herons reviewed.聽
Herons is running at the until 13 February 2016.聽
Main image: Tristram Kenton聽

Helen Ellis

Helen Ellis
Helen Ellis on American Housewife, her book of short stories.聽
American Housewife is published by Simon and Schuster

John Bratby

John Bratby
John Bratby: Everything But the Kitchen Sink Including the Kitchen Sink is running at the from 30 January to 17 April 2016.聽

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Michael Keaton
Interviewed Guest Henry Hitchings
Presenter Kirsty Lang
Interviewed Guest Liz Gilmore
Interviewed Guest David Bratby
Producer Rebecca Armstrong

Broadcast

  • Fri 22 Jan 2016 19:15

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