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Leonard Cohen; Abi Morgan interviewed

With Mark Lawson, who hears from Leonard Cohen on the inspiration for his new disc; screenwriter Abi Morgan reflects on recent projects, including The Iron Lady and Birdsong.

With Mark Lawson.

Playwright and screenwriter Abi Morgan's recent credits include The Hour on TV and The Iron Lady and Shame in the cinema. Her TV adaptation of Sebastian Faulks' best-selling novel Birdsong begins on Sunday. She reflects on her approaches to writing for the screen and stage.

Ralph Fiennes makes his debut as a film director with a contemporary version of Shakespeare's political thriller Coriolanus. Fiennes also takes the title role, with Vanessa Redgrave as his fierce mother Volumnia and Gerard Butler as his rival Aufidius. Andrew Dickson reviews.

Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen tells Mark how his new album Old Ideas was partly inspired by the responses of audiences around the world during his last tour. Mark Ellen reviews the disc, Cohen's first studio album for eight years.

Antony Sher stars in Nicholas Wright's new play about the early days of cinema and the contribution of Jewish Eastern European immigrants to the Hollywood film industry. Peter Kemp reviews.

Producer Philippa Ritchie.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Abi Morgan

    • Abi Morgan

      Screenwriter Abi Morgan talks about The Iron Lady, Birdsong and The Hour

      Duration: 11:43

  • Leonard Cohen

    • Leonard Cohen

      Singer Leonard Cohen discusses his new album which is also reviewed by critic Mark Ellen

      Duration: 07:48

Broadcast

  • Thu 19 Jan 2012 19:15

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