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Ray Mears, Robert Henrey, Maria Vasquez, Q Brothers

Libby Purves meets Maria Vasquez, who fled Pinochet's Chile with her family, plus former child actor Robert Henrey, survival expert Ray Mears and hip-hop artists the Q Brothers.

Libby Purves meets Maria Vasquez who fled Pinochet's Chile with her family; former child actor Robert Henrey; survival expert Ray Mears and hip hop artists the Q Brothers.

Maria Vasquez came to Britain from Chile as a child with her parents - refugees fleeing General Pinochet's dictatorship. Her father, a supporter of Salvador Allende's government, had been tortured and imprisoned following the 1973 coup. The family settled first in Sheffield and then Rotherham. Maria is the chair of Chile 40 Years On, a London-based group set up to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the coup. The Royal Court Theatre is marking the event with a series of readings by a range of Chilean writers.

Robert Henrey was a child actor who was picked out by director Carol Reed to star in his 1948 film The Fallen Idol. Performing alongside Sir Ralph Richardson, Robert played Phillipe, a young boy caught up in an adult world. His memoir, Through Grown Up Eyes, tells of his life from actor to Roman Catholic deacon. Through Grown Up Eyes is published by Polperro Heritage Press.

Ray Mears is a woodsman, photographer and survival expert who has travelled the world studying and teaching the art of survival. He has appeared in TV series including World of Survival, Bushcraft Survival and Ray Mear's Goes Walkabout. He also founded Woodlore, The School of Wilderness Bushcraft which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. His autobiography, My Outdoor Life is published by Hodder.

The Q Brothers, Gregory and Jeffery Qaiyum, are writers, rappers and directors. Known as GQ and JQ respectively, the brothers are behind a hip hop adaptation of Othello - Othello: The Remix. Their production transposes the original story of betrayal, jealousy and suspicion to the competitive world of the music industry. Othello: The Remix is at London's Unicorn Theatre.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Available now

43 minutes

In the studio

In the studio
L-R: Robert Henrey, Maria Vasquez, Gregory and Jeffrey Qaiyum, Ray Mears.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Libby Purves
Interviewed Guest Maria Vasquez
Interviewed Guest Robert Henrey
Interviewed Guest Ray Mears
Interviewed Guest Gregory Qaiyum
Interviewed Guest Jeffery Qaiyum
Producer Paula McGinley

Broadcasts

  • Wed 11 Sep 2013 09:00
  • Wed 11 Sep 2013 21:30

Podcast