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The British Ceramics Biennial, Novelist Nell Zink, The Jumper Factory, Tamsin Grey

We hear about the work on display in Stoke-on-Trent for this year's British Ceramics Biennial, and Nell Zink discusses her acclaimed new book Doxology

Ten years ago when the first British Ceramics Biennial took place, things didn't look good for pots or Stoke-on-Trent, known as 'the potteries' of the UK. The 240-year-old Spode factory had shut, ceramics had a dusty image and the pot-making artist Grayson Perry said the art world had more of a problem with his being a potter than with him wearing a frock. In Front Row this evening Kirsty will hear how things have changed. Now the old Spode works hosts artists studios and a boutique hotel and this year is at the heart of multiple exhibitions featuring the work of 300 artists - both established and emerging, from home and abroad.

US author Nell Zink's new novel Doxology features two generations of an American family coming of age, one before 9/11, one after. She tells Kirsty about her decision to broaden the scope of her writing to tell a story of modern America and the stark differences between Baby Boomers and 'Generation Z'.

Tamsin Grey is one of the five authors shortlisted for the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú National Short Story Award. The writer discusses her story My Beautiful Millennial, which is about a lone young woman living in London and her complicated relationship with an older man.

And The Jumper Factory, a prison drama developed by the Young Vic Theatre with the help of eight serving prisoners. It's performed by actors with little or no stage experience, though all of them have been affected in some way by the criminal justice system. The play was intended for performance within prisons, but has been such a hit that it is now touring for the public.

Presenter Kirsty Lang
Producer Olive Clancy

Available now

28 minutes

Meet the Booker Prize Shortlisted Authors

Meet the Booker Prize Shortlisted Authors










The Booker Prize is one of the biggest literary prizes in the world and Front Row is delighted to announce that we’re offering listeners a chance to meet this year’s shortlisted authors to ask them about their shortlisted novel. So if you’re reading, or interested in reading any of the six books – from Margaret Atwood to Salman Rushdie – get in contact.  Tweet us @Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿ÚFrontRow or email frontrow@bbc.co.uk. Let us know which author you’d like to meet and send us one question you’d like to ask.

My Beautiful Millennial

My Beautiful Millennial

Tamsin Grey is one of the five authors shortlisted for the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú National Short Story Award. Her story My Beautiful Millennial, is about a lone young woman living in London and her complicated relationship with an older man. 

Image: Tamsin Grey

Image Credit: Helen Warner

The Jumper Factory

The Jumper Factory

The Jumper Factory, a new play that explores the stories of people behind bars and the resilience they need to face a world that moves on without them.

This production is presented by a cast of young men aged from 18 – 25, whose lives have all been affected in some way by the criminal justice system. Created in collaboration with inmates at HMP Wandsworth. 

At Tue 10 Sep 2019 – Sat 14 Sep 2019

By Luke Barnes, Directed by Josh Parr

Image: The Jumper Factory Cast

Image Credit: Leon Puplett


Broadcast

  • Tue 10 Sep 2019 19:15

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