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Rowan Atkinson on stage, Costa winner Hilary Mantel, and Samuel West

Rowan Atkinson on returning to the stage in Quartermaine's Terms, Costa Book of the Year winner Hilary Mantel, and Samuel West in Hyde Park on Hudson. Arts news with Mark Lawson.

With Mark Lawson

Rowan Atkinson takes on his most serious role yet as the eponymous hero of Simon Gray's play Quartermaine's Terms. Atkinson and director Richard Eyre discuss the challenges of such a quiet and sedentary part, and why audiences who turn up expecting to see Mr Bean quickly adapt to the tone of the play.

Hilary Mantel was announced last night as the winner of the 拢30,000 Costa Book of the Year award for her novel Bring Up the Bodies. She discusses her golden year, having already won the Man Booker Prize for the same novel.

Samuel West discusses his role as King George VI in Roger Michell's film Hyde Park on Hudson. Also starring Bill Murray as Franklin D Roosevelt, the film focuses on the weekend in 1939 when the King and Queen visited Roosevelt in an attempt to persuade America about the threat of World War II.

Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, reveals his plans for the Theatre's 50th birthday celebrations, and hints at when he will end his tenure, which began in 2003.

Producer Jerome Weatherald.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Rowan Atkinson

    Duration: 10:02

  • Hilary Mantel

    Duration: 09:50

  • Samuel West

    Duration: 09:50

  • Nicholas Hytner

    Duration: 03:44

Broadcast

  • Wed 30 Jan 2013 19:15

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