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Press Releases
The Culture Show: Stephen Poliakoff
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Acclaimed award-winning writer and director Stephen Poliakoff is to be the subject of a special edition of The Culture Show on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two this autumn.
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The extended programme features an in-depth interview with Poliakoff, who talks about the themes he explores in his work – family, memory, loneliness and loss.
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He also discusses the state of British television today, and his hopes and fears for television in the future.
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There is also an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Poliakoff works and the programme features contributions from some of the leading actors who have worked with him.
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Poliakoff has worked for both stage and screen, and in a career spanning 25 years has been responsible for a string of captivating, unsettling and provocative films including The Lost Prince, Perfect Strangers, Shooting The Past, Caught On A Train and Close My Eyes.
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He has worked with many of the finest British actors including Peggy Ashcroft, Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith.
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The centrepiece of the programme will be a brand new drama, shot on location and written for just one actor: A Real Summer, starring Ruth Wilson, made by Poliakoff exclusively for The Culture Show.
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This will be Ruth's first major role since winning viewers over with her magnificent performance in Jane Eyre, for which she was BAFTA-nominated in 2006.
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Now, she will be delivering an intriguing and elaborate drama in which she explores the character Mary – setting the scene for her formidable performance in the same role in the linked ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two drama Capturing Mary.
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A Real Summer charts the development of an unexpected relationship between Mary and a young female aristocrat – Geraldine. Both characters are played by Wilson.
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On her experience of making the drama, Ruth Wilson commented: "A Real Summer was a wonderful collaboration with Stephen and I like to think of it as a rare example of 'guerrilla' filming. It has proved one of my greatest challenges yet as an actor.
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"The combination of learning a 25-page script, creating two different but believable characters, having only the camera or myself to act with and then filming it all in the space of three days. I'm surprised I managed to maintain a degree of sanity."
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By combining an Alan Bennett-style monologue with real drama, using only one actor, A Real Summer constantly surprises audiences and creates an unpredictable, unique and compelling Poliakoff drama.
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Roly Keating, Controller of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, said: "I am thrilled that The Culture Show will be home to such a unique and remarkable piece of work."
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A Real Summer accompanies Joe's Palace on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One and Capturing Mary on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.
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