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Bryan Cranston, Lazarus, Oneworld, Remembering Howard Davies

Bryan Cranston explains why he has turned author, the writer and director of Lazarus talk about working with David Bowie, Nicholas Hytner remembers Howard Davies.

Bryan Cranston played a hapless dad in Malcom in the Middle, a dentist to the stars in Seinfeld, and most famously a teacher-turned-drugs-lord in Breaking Bad. Now he has written an autobiography. Cranston discusses A Life in Parts which recalls the many odd parts he's played in real life - paperboy, security guard, dating consultant, murder suspect, husband, father and, of course, actor.

One of the last projects David Bowie worked on was his musical Lazarus which includes new music and some of his best-known hits. The production which broke box office records when it played in New York has now transferred to a specially-built venue in London. We speak to Enda Walsh, Bowie's co-writer on the project, and the show's director Ivo van Hove about bringing Bowie's vision to life.

Paul Beatty has become the first US author to win the Man Booker Prize, with his racial satire The Sellout. It marks the second win in a row for independent publisher Oneworld who also published last year's winner, A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James. So what is their secret? How do they talent spot the authors who go on to win big? We will hear from one of the founders, Juliet Mabey.

We remember theatre director Howard Davies whose death at the age of 71 was announced today. During his long career he won three Best Director Olivier Awards, and established and ran the Warehouse Theatre for the Royal Shakespeare Company, now the Donmar Warehouse in London. He also did much work for the Royal National Theatre, where he directed 36 productions. Former NT artistic director Nicholas Hytner recalls working with him there, and Matt Wolf, theatre critic for The International New York Times, assesses his work.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Angie Nehring.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Bryan Cranston

    Duration: 08:10

  • Oneworld Publications

    Duration: 03:56

  • Lazarus

    Duration: 09:32

  • Remembering Howard Davies

    Duration: 05:07

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston's book, is available now from听Orion.

Images - main image above an to the left: Brian Cranston

Lazarus

Lazarus

by David Bowie and Enda Walsh is at the King's Cross Theatre, London, until 22 January 2017.

Image: Michael C Hall (Left) and Sophia Anne Caruso (Right) in Lazarus

Image credit: Jan Versweyveld

Juliet Mabey

Juliet Mabey
Juliet Mabey is one of the co-founders of Publications

Remembering Howard Davies

Remembering Howard Davies
Image: Howard Davies

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Bryan Cranston
Interviewed Guest Enda Walsh
Interviewed Guest Ivo Van Hove
Interviewed Guest Juliet Mabey
Interviewed Guest Nicholas Hytner
Interviewed Guest Matt Wolf
Producer Angie Nehring

Broadcast

  • Wed 26 Oct 2016 19:15

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