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Oz the Great and Powerful; Julia O'Faolain; Written on Skin

Arts news. Mark Lawson reviews Oz the Great and Powerful, Sam Raimi's prequel to The Wizard of Oz; plus George Benjamin and Martin Crimp on their opera Written on Skin.

With Mark Lawson.

Sam Raimi's film Oz The Great and Powerful is an imagined prequel to L. Frank Baum's novel The Wizard of Oz. James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a circus magician from Kansas who encounters three witches, played by Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis in the land of Oz. Writer Sally Gardner reviews.

Composer George Benjamin and playwright Martin Crimp reflect on their new opera, Written on Skin, receiving its UK premiere at the Royal Opera House this week. Based on a medieval folk tale of love and violence, the opera is directed by Katie Mitchell and features Canadian soprano Barbara Hannigan in the pivotal role of Agnes.

Author Julia O'Faolain discusses Trespassers: A Memoir, the story of her own life and her relationship with her father, the acclaimed writer Sean O'Faolain, who was also Director of Publicity for the IRA during the Irish Civil War.

Producer Nicki Paxman.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Oz The Great and Powerful

    A review of Oz The Great and Powerful

    Duration: 05:05

  • Written on Skin

    An interview with composer George Benjamin + writer Martin Crimp

    Duration: 11:37

  • Julia O'Faolain

    An interview with writer Julia O'Faolain

    Duration: 10:47

Broadcast

  • Mon 4 Mar 2013 19:15

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