Author:William Wordsworth,Ian McKellen
BBC Radio 4 presents William Wordsworth's autobiographical poem ‘The Prelude’, read by Sir Ian McKellen, directed by Susan Roberts and features specially composed music by John Harle.‘The Prelude’ is arguably the most important piece of poetic writing in our language. Accessible, full of emotion and gripping, the poem is recorded in Wordsworth's home in Grasmere, Cumbria and looks back over events in his early life in Grasmere, Cambridge, France, London and the Alps.Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the natural language of common speech, and in that way it was revolutionary in its time.Last broadcast on 14 and 15 May 2011, with music performed by John Harle on Saxophone and Neill MacColl on guitar.
Beautifully written, honest and thoroughly enjoyable. A great read
—— Gay ByrneA warm and fitting tribute to the legend that is Humph
—— Darren Rea , http://www.reviewgraveyard.comCabin Pressure is one of the best written, cast, acted and directed comedies on anywhere.
—— Gillian Reynolds , Daily TelegraphThe more I listen to John Finnemore's Cabin Pressure, the more I think what a stonking masterpiece it is. Perfect in every department.
—— Philip Pullmanno-holds-barred
—— Listvery funny but also very moving
—— The London Papervery funny
—— Hampshire Viewthere are moments here that shine with the genius for observational comedy for which Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders (the Fatty of the title) are famous
—— GuardianDawn writes (with) tenderness, caring and oodles of charm. Well-paced, it's a reminder of why she has been a staple of the British comedy scene since the early 1980s
—— Guernsey PressAnyone perparing for another dry, identikit celebrity autobiography is going to be delighted by these hilarious memoirs
—— SheFrench can still cut the comic mustard
—— Time Outwhile much of the book's tone is that of the unassailably jolly Dawn we all expect ... other letters are tear-jerkingly poignant and none more so than those she writes to her late father Denys French
—— Daily ExpressFor all her honesty anyone hoping for a light-hearted romp will be delighted ... While her charm shines throughout, the more intense moments stay with you in a way that most celeb autobiographies can only strive for
—— Sunday Expressyou'll be captivated by her witty and warm style
—— PrimaSelf-depracating yet never self-pitying, irreverent yet never truly cynical, she comes across as a woman genuinely at ease with herself ... French is engaging company, and at her best she writes about heartbreak and elation with such grace that her book is impossible to dislike
—— Boston Standard