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Hugh Grant, Stephen Fry, Hollywood and homosexuality

Arts news, interviews and reviews. Hugh Grant on how his early stage career equipped him to play the villain in Paddington 2. And Stephen Fry on the allure of Greek Myths.

Hugh Grant explains how his early career in repertory theatre has helped him play faded actor Phoenix Buchanan, the villain in Paddington 2.

Stephen Fry talks about his new book Mythos, a retelling of the Greek myths, and why he finds the tales of the gods, monsters and mortals of Ancient Greece so appealing.

The two lead characters in the new cinematic release Call Me By Your Name are gay, yet the actors who play them are straight. This is part of a tradition in film from Brokeback Mountain and I Love You Philip Morris. Tim Robey discusses why so often straight actors are chosen to play gay roles, when the reverse rarely happens, and why it can still be in the actor's interest not to be honest about their sexual orientation.

The winner of the David Cohen Prize for Literature is announced this evening. Who will win this prestigious award for a lifetime's achievement? Front Row will be the first with the news.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Julian May.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 8 Nov 2017 19:15
成人快手 Radio 4

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Chapters

  • Hugh Grant

    Duration: 08:12

  • Hollywood and homosexuality

    Duration: 09:13

  • Stephen Fry

    Duration: 09:04

  • David Cohen Prize winner

    Duration: 01:06

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant

opens in UK cinemas on 10 November 2017, certificate PG.

Images:

Main image above, and smaller image to the left: Hugh Grant as Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2.

Image credit: Cameo Productions

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry

by is out now, in paperback and hardback, as well as in Ebook, an audio download formats,聽聽and as an Audio CD.

Image: Stephen Fry

Credits

Presenter Samira Ahmed
Interviewed Guest Hugh Grant
Interviewed Guest Stephen Fry
Interviewed Guest Tim Robey
Producer Julian May

Broadcast

  • Wed 8 Nov 2017 19:15
    成人快手 Radio 4

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Inspire

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

Podcast

  • Front Row

    Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music