Front Row: Archive 2013 - Andrew Lloyd Webber; playing yourself in TV dramas; Will Self's Cultural Exchange

Download Andrew Lloyd Webber; playing yourself in TV dramas; Will Self's Cultural Exchange

With Mark Lawson,

Andrew Lloyd Webber discusses the new restoration of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, one of London's oldest theatres. The first theatre building was opened in May 1663, an event recorded in Samuel Pepys's diary. The Grand Saloon, rotunda and main staircases have been restored by Lord Lloyd Webber in a £4 million project. He reflects on the importance of London's historical theatres, how an interview on Front Row led to his next musical, and why he doesn't want a theatre named after him.

In the new BBC One drama Frankie, Ken Bruce is a radio presence weaved into the series. He discusses the difficulties involved in playing himself, and Kirsty Wark and Richard Bacon also reflect on their experiences of appearing as themselves in TV dramas.

In tonight's Cultural Exchange, in which leading creative minds select a favourite work, writer Will Self nominates The Man Who Was Thursday, a novel by G K Chesterton.

Producer Penny Murphy.

Published on Wednesday, 15th May 2013.

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