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Alan Cumming; Marlowe's Edward II; new feminist comedians

Alan Cumming on his new film, Any Day Now; the verdict on a bold new staging of Marlowe's Edward II; how female comics make feminism funny; new art inspired by the Victorians.

With Kirsty Lang.

Skinny jeans, phone calls and cameramen recording intimate footage all appear in a mediaeval setting, in a new National Theatre production of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II. Making his debut at the National Theatre, director Joe Hill-Gibbins adds a modern twist to this erotic and brutal play, which stars John Heffernan in the title role. Jerry Brotton reviews.

Alan Cumming stars in the film Any Day Now, set in the late 70s and based on a true story about a gay couple who become guardians of an abandoned young boy with Down's Syndrome. Everyone's delighted with the progress the child makes under their care - until the fact that they're gay becomes public knowledge. Alan Cumming discusses institutional homophobia both in the story and today, working on the US TV hit series The Good Wife - and cabaret-singing with Liza Minnelli.

The exhibition Victoriana: The Art Of Revival features new art inspired by the Victorian era, with pieces from 28 artists including Grayson Perry, Paula Rego, and Jake and Dinos Chapman, and work ranging from ceramics to photography to taxidermy. Rachel Cooke reflects on what 21st century artists take from the 19th century.

As the dust settles on this year's Edinburgh Fringe, one of the biggest stories to emerge from the festival was the rise of feminist comedy, culminating when Bridget Christie won the Fosters Comedy Award for her stand-up show, A Bic For Her. Nadia Kamil and Mary Bourke, who both brought feminist shows to Edinburgh this year, discuss how they went about making feminism funny.

Producer Rebecca Nicholson.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Edward II at the National Theatre

    Duration: 05:26

  • Alan Cumming

    Duration: 10:09

  • Victoriana: The Art of Revival

    Duration: 04:14

  • Feminist Comedy

    Duration: 08:02

Edward II

Edward II

is at the National Theatre until 26th October.

Image: Vanessa Kirby, Bettrys Jonesand John Heffernan in Edward II. Photo credit: Johan Persson

Any Day Now

Any Day Now

Any Day Now, starring Alan Cumming , is in cinemas from 6th September certificate 15.

Victoriana: The Art of Revival

Victoriana: The Art of Revival

is on at the Guildhall Art Gallery in London 听until 8th December.

Image: Rob Ryan, 'I Remember, Nobody Remembers'. Copyright the artist.

Feminist Comedy

Feminist comedy discussion with and .

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Lang
Interviewed Guest Jerry Brotton
Interviewed Guest Alan Cumming
Interviewed Guest Rachel Cooke
Interviewed Guest Nadia Kamil
Interviewed Guest Mary Bourke
Producer Rebecca Nicholson

Broadcast

  • Thu 5 Sep 2013 19:15

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