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John Hurt's paintings, The Fool in King Lear, Summer reads for the UK

Sir John Hurt's widow Anwen on the late actor's paintings and drawings; the role of the Fool in King Lear; and recommendations for summer reading for those holidaying in the UK.

John Hurt as Artist is a new exhibition in Norfolk which reveals a less well-known side of the actor who died last year. Sir John Hurt's widow Anwen discusses the mainly figurative paintings and drawings which mostly relate to the actor's off-screen life, but also include self-portraits of him in prosthetic make-up for his role as John Merrick in The Elephant Man from 1980.

Ian McKellen is playing King Lear in the West End and recently Anthony Hopkins played him on television. Accompanying Lear on his bleak and tragic journey is his Fool. Karl Johnson, Fool to Anthony Hopkins' Lear, and Lloyd Hutchinson, McKellen's Fool, discuss the way they approach this enigmatic figure.

Recently we've been offering inspiration on holiday reading to help you choose which books to cram into your suitcase. Today New Statesman book critic Sarah Ditum concludes the series with a set of recommendations for people holidaying closer to home, in the UK and Ireland.

Presenter Kirsty Lang
Producer Jerome Weatherald.

Main image: Sir John Hurt printmaking. Credit: Andi Sapey

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30 minutes

John Hurt's paintings

John Hurt's paintings

Sir John Hurt in his studio.

"John Hurt as Artist" is showing in 听part of the 听until Sunday 29th July 2018. Photo credit:Andi Sapey

The Fool in King Lear

The Fool in King Lear
Sinead Cusack as Kent and Lloyd Hutchinson as Fool in听King Lear听at the , until November 2018.听听Photo credit: Johan Persson

Front Row Holiday reads

Tonight鈥檚 picks by Sarah Ditum of the New Statesman

St Ives:

Daphne Du Maurier, The Birds and Other Stories

Wales:

Sophie Mackintosh, The Water Cure

Scottish islands:

Amy Liptrott, The Outrun

Somerset:

Jane Austen, Persuasion

Southwold:

George Orwell, A Clergyman鈥檚 Daughter

Donegal:

Maggie O鈥橣arrell, This Must be the Place

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Lang
Interviewed Guest Anwen Hurt
Interviewed Guest Karl Johnson
Interviewed Guest Lloyd Hutchinson
Interviewed Guest Sarah Ditum
Producer Jerome Weatherald

Broadcast

  • Mon 23 Jul 2018 19:15

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