Front Row - Dexter Fletcher on Rocket Man, Jessica Andrews, Artists as activists, Folio Prize winner

Dexter Fletcher on Rocket Man, Jessica Andrews, Artists as activists, Folio Prize winner

Download Dexter Fletcher on Rocket Man, Jessica Andrews, Artists as activists, Folio Prize winner

Rocketman is the new Elton John film musical that charts the singer’s life from his upbringing in Pinner, meeting his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, making it big and then struggling with addictions. We speak to the director Dexter Fletcher - who also worked on Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody - about making the film which stars Taron Egerton and was executive-produced by Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish

Saltwater is a new novel by Jessica Andrews, a published poet who also runs a literary magazine for under-represented writers. Based on her own life, Saltwater follows the character of Lucy who moves from her working-class family home in Sunderland to university in London and warehouse parties. But her new life is not what she expected.

Artists taking risks – and artists putting themselves at risk – is the focus of a forum happening at Tate Modern this weekend. Áine O’Brien of campaigning group Counterpoint Arts and Syrian playwright Abdullah Alkafri discuss the threats to artistic freedom and expression faced by artists in politically turbulent countries around the world.

We announce the winner of the Folio Prize, open to all genres and all forms of literature, except work written primarily for children.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer Oliver Jones

Published on Monday, 20th May 2019.

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