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Actress Tamsin Greig; novelist Jonathan Coe; Martin Bailey on Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Tamsin Greig reflects on comedy and tragedy; Jonathan Coe on his latest novel, Expo 58; Martin Bailey on his Van Gogh discoveries; and who has released the most albums?

With Mark Lawson.

Tamsin Greig, familiar to Radio 4 listeners as Debbie Aldridge in The Archers, is also well known from TV comedies such as Black Books and Green Wing, along with numerous acclaimed stage roles. This week she stars in the TV drama series The Guilty, as a mother who is also leading a police investigation into the death of a young boy. She reflects on the relationship between comedy and tragedy, corpsing on stage and the importance of pauses.

Jonathan Coe, best known for What a Carve Up! and The Rotters Club, discusses his new novel Expo 58. It's set at the 1958 World Fair in Belgium, where a na茂ve young civil servant is sent to run the British pavilion against a backdrop of the Cold War. Jonathan Coe discusses spies and intrigue in his latest comic novel.

A rare photograph of one of Vincent Van Gogh's sunflower paintings has been tracked down by writer Martin Bailey. The original painting, Six Sunflowers, was destroyed in Japan, during bombings in 1945. Martin Bailey explains how he found the image, and how he believes it enhances our understanding of Van Gogh's work.

As Cliff Richard prepares to release his 100th album, The Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll Songbook, David Hepworth attempts to chart which band or artist has recorded the most albums.

Producer Nicki Paxman.

Available now

30 minutes

Tamsin Greig

ITV's three part drama begins聽on Thursday at 9pm.

Jonathan Coe

聽by Jonathan Coe is published by Viking

Martin Bailey

The Sunflowers are Mine: The Story of Van Gogh's Masterpiece by Martin Bailey is published by Frances Lincoln.聽


Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Mark Lawson
Interviewed Guest Tamsin Greig
Interviewed Guest Jonathan Coe
Interviewed Guest Martin Bailey
Interviewed Guest David Hepworth
Producer Nicki Paxman

Broadcast

  • Wed 4 Sep 2013 19:15

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