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16/09/2009

Lively and diverse conversation with Libby Purves and guests. She is joined by Janice Connelly, Michael Mansfield QC, James Roose-Evans and Tom Yendell.

Janice Connolly is the comedian and actress who plays Barbara Nice, the Stockport housewife. She got her big break when she was spotted by Peter Kay at The North West New Act Final and went on to play Holy Mary in his acclaimed comedy Phoenix Nights. She also helped found the Women and Theatre group in Birmingham over 20 years ago and is performing a benefit gig in aid of the Women and Theatre Charitable Trust on 16th September at the Glee Club in Birmingham.

Michael Mansfield QC is one of Britain's most high-profile and radical, defence lawyers. Since 1967 he has taken on some of the most controversial cases of our time, from major trials to appeals, inquests and inquiries including The Angry Brigade, the Birmingham Six, The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, Angela Cannings, Ruth Ellis, Dodi Fayed and the Princess of Wales, Stephen Lawrence, the Price Sisters and, most recently, Jean Charles de Menezes. His autobiography, Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer, is pubished by Bloomsbury.

James Roose-Evans founded Hampstead Theatre 50 years ago. He has written 17 books, including the bestselling Inner Journey: Outer Journey and Experimental Theatre and has directed many plays, including the award-winning 84 Charing Cross Road. He is a non-stipendiary Anglican priest, founded the Bleddfa Centre for Creative Spirit and continues to lead meditation classes. His autobiography, Opening Doors and Windows: A Memoir in Four Acts is pubished by The History Press.

Tom Yendell was born without arms due to the drug Thalidomide. He has learnt to accomplish everyday tasks using his feet. He was artistic from an early age and is now an artist, running the MFPA (Mouth and Foot Painting Artists) gallery in Selbourne, Hampshire, and gives illustrated lectures about the MFPA. He is also involved in Teabag, a charity that aims to improve the education of young people in Ghana by providing basic equipment, books and educational facilities. An exhibition of MFPA comprising 100 paintings is on in The Chamber Hall, London City Hall, London SE1.

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45 minutes

Last on

Wed 16 Sep 2009 21:30

Broadcasts

  • Wed 16 Sep 2009 09:00
  • Wed 16 Sep 2009 21:30

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