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Elizabeth McGovern; Jamie Lloyd; Poets Laureate

Three poets laureate on reflecting nations in verse; Elizabeth McGovern on songwriting; The Widower starring Reece Shearsmith reviewed; director Jamie Lloyd on Urinetown.

With John Wilson.

The poets laureate of the UK, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland will share a stage for the first time this Friday. All the poets laureate are women - and this has never happened before in the history of the laureateships. Carol Ann Duffy, Gillian Clarke and Liz Lochhead discuss their roles as national poets and talk about reflecting a nation in verse.

Reece Shearsmith (Psychoville, The League Of Gentlemen) swaps surreal dark comedy for factual drama in The Widower. Based on the crimes of convicted murderer, Malcolm Webster, the three part series charts the events that led to a charming male nurse systematically attempting to murder more than one wife. Chris Dunkley reviews.

Elizabeth McGovern discusses performing with her band, Sadie And The Hotheads. Best-known for playing Cora, the Countess of Grantham, on Downton Abbey, McGovern currently switches between filming Downton Abbey in the day, and performing on stage with The Hotheads at night. She talks about song-writing and how everyday experiences have inspired her songs.

Director Jamie Lloyd talks to John on the set of his latest musical. With The Commitments already in London's West End, Jamie discusses taking on the oddly titled and unexpected Broadway hit, Urinetown. He also talks about his fast-paced and sometimes bloody style, working with Harold Pinter, and plans to bring the film Back To The Future to the stage.

Producer: Rebecca Nicholson.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Poets Laureate

    Carol Ann Duffy, Gillian Clarke and Liz Lochhead discuss their roles as national poets

    Duration: 08:45

  • The Widower

    Chris Dunkley reviews ITV's new drama, The Widower

    Duration: 04:20

  • Elizabeth McGovern

    Elizabeth McGovern discusses performing with her band, Sadie And The Hotheads

    Duration: 08:03

  • Jamie Lloyd

    Director Jamie Lloyd talks to John on the set of his latest musical, Urinetown

    Duration: 06:46

Urinetown

Urinetown

is on at the St James Theatre, London until Saturday 3 May 2014.

Image: Richard Fleeshman (Bobby Strong), Jenna Russell (Penelope Pennywise) and Cast

Image Credit: Johan Persson

Elizabeth McGovern

Elizabeth McGovern
Still Waiting the new album from Elizabeth McGovern and her band is released on Monday 10 March 2014.

The Widower

The Widower
The Widower starring Reece Shearsmith starts on Monday 17 March 2014 at 21:00 on ITV.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Carol Ann Duffy
Interviewed Guest Gillian Clarke
Interviewed Guest Liz Lochhead
Interviewed Guest Chris Dunkley
Interviewed Guest Elizabeth McGovern
Interviewed Guest Jamie Lloyd
Producer Rebecca Nicholson

Broadcast

  • Thu 6 Mar 2014 19:15

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