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Jez Butterworth and Sam Mendes on The Ferryman

Writer Jez Butterworth and director Sam Mendes discuss collaborating on The Ferryman, as the highly acclaimed play transfers to London's West End.

Playwright Jez Butterworth and director Sam Mendes, two of the biggest names in theatre, discuss The Ferryman, one of the hottest plays of the year. The pair, who had previously worked together on Bond, reveal how a mutual love of football resulted in this latest collaboration.

In a Front Row special John Wilson goes behind the scenes at the Gielgud Theatre as the cast and crew prepare to open in London's West End.

The play is set in rural Derry in 1981 against the backdrop of the Troubles. The Carney family are preparing for the harvest feast when unwelcome visitors bring news of the discovery of a body forcing patriarch Quinn to confront the IRA past he had tried to escape.

Northern Irish actress Laura Donnelly tells John the true story from her family's history that inspired the play and film star Paddy Considine discusses making his stage debut as part of a huge cast including a baby, a real rabbit and a live goose.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Marilyn Rust.

Available now

30 minutes

The Ferryman

The Ferryman
Jez Butterworth and John Wilson

The Ferryman is at the Gielgud Theatre, London until聽7 October聽

Main image:聽Laura Donnelly & Paddy Considine in
The Ferryman
Photo credit: Johan Persson

John Wilson and Sam Mendes

John Wilson and Sam Mendes
John Wilson and Sam Mendes

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Jez Butterworth
Interviewed Guest Sam Mendes
Interviewed Guest Laura Donnelly
Interviewed Guest Paddy Considine
Presenter John Wilson
Producer Marilyn Rust

Broadcast

  • Thu 22 Jun 2017 19:15

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