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The Book of Mormon, Constitutions, Press Regulation, Lina Prokofiev

Presented by Anne McElvoy. Including a first-night review of the West End debut of The Book of Mormon, the Broadway musical from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

On tonight's multi-volume Night Waves, Anne McElvoy will be opening with The Book of Mormon: the new musical from the writers of the controversial cartoon South Park. Susannah Clapp has a first night review.

Anne will be examining the fine words and good intentions of national constitutions. As Zimbabwe votes in favour of a new one, Albie Sachs, one of the architects of South Africa's new constitution, Chibli Mallat, who has advised Iraq and Arab Spring countries on drawing up their own constitutions, and the journalist and author Simon Jenkins discuss whether constitutions aid or impede democracy.

Also, in light of this week's news of a cross-party deal on press regulation established by Royal Charter, the satirist and editor of Private Eye, Ian Hislop, and British media expert James Curran discuss whether lessons can be learned by examining the historical relationship between the state and the press.

And, a new biography of Lina Prokofiev - aspiring singer and wife of the composer and pianist Sergei Prokofiev - which reveals the disastrous consequences of the couple's move back to the newly established Soviet Union. The author, Simon Morrison, explains what happened.

Producer: Gavin Heard.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Thu 21 Mar 2013 22:00

Chapters

  • Constitutions

    A discussion about national constitutions and whether they aid or impede democracy.

    Duration: 12:04

  • Press regulation

    A examination of the historical relationship between the state and the press.

    Duration: 15:34

  • The Book of Mormon

    A review of the new musical from the creators of South Park.

    Duration: 06:14

  • Lina Prokofiev

    Simon Morrison discusses the life of Lina Prokofiev, the subject of his new biography.

    Duration: 09:54

Lina Prokofiev

The Love and Wars of Lina Prokofiev, by Simon Morrison, is published by Harvill Secker.

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is on at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London until 24th August.

Broadcast

  • Thu 21 Mar 2013 22:00

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Free Thinking

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