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John Pilger, KM Peyton, Paula Murphy, Michael Blakemore

Matthew Bannister on journalist John Pilger, author KM Peyton, racing driver Paula Murphy and director Michael Blakemore.

Matthew Bannister on

John Pilger, the campaigning journalist who made award winning films about human rights abuses and was an outspoken critic of British and US foreign policy.

K.M. Peyton, the author of many “pony” books for children and adolescents, including the “Flambards” trilogy.

Paula Murphy, the American racing driver once described as “the fastest woman on wheels”.

Michael Blakemore, the versatile theatre director who was the only person to win Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Musical in the same year.

Interviewee: Sam Pilger
Interviewee: Anthony Hayward
Interviewee: Meg Rosoff
Interviewee: Hilary Peyton
Interviewee: Pam Miller
Interviewee: Conrad Blakemore
Interviewee: Greta Scacchi

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Archive used:
John Pilger, Desert Island Discs, BBC Radio 4, 18/02/1990; Year Zero: The Silent Death of Cambodia, (ATV) ITV, 1979 p/d David Munro; Cambodia: Year One, (ATV), ITV, 10 September 1980, p/d David Munro; John Pilger interview with Kim Hill, TVNZ's 1News, 1 News, YouTube ed, 24/11/2023; KM Peyton interview, Front Row, BBC Radio 4, 27/04/2009; KM Peyton interview, Womans Hour, BBC Radio 4, 20/02/2016; Flambards TV Series, TV Theme and scene extract, ITV, 02/02/1979; Paula Murphy interview/clips, Paula Murphy: Undaunted, Documentary, Fox Sports, Director Pam Miller, released 2023, Michael Blakemore interview, Theatre Talk, YouTube ed 04/08/2013; John Lahr talks with director Michael Blakemore, Conversations, The New Yorker, YouTube ed 23/07/2014;

Available now

28 minutes

John Pilger

The campaigning journalist who made award winning films about human rights abuses and was an outspoken critic of British and US foreign policy.

Last Word spoke to his son Sam Pilger and the author/journalist Anthony Hayward.

Born 9 October 1939, Died 30 December 2023; aged 84

 


KM Peyton MBE

The author of many “pony” books for children and adolescents, including the “Flambards” trilogy.

Last Word spoke to her daughter Hilary Peyton plus her friend and author Meg Rosoff

Born 2 August 1929, died 19 December 2023, aged 94 

 


Paula Murphy

The American racing driver once described as “the fastest woman on wheels”.

Last Word spoke to the television producer Pam Miller who directed the documentary, Paul Murphy: Undaunted.

Born 16 June 1928, died 21 December 2023, aged 95

 


Michael Blakemore OBE

The versatile theatre director who was the only person to win Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Musical in the same year.

Last Word spoke to  his son Conrad Blakemore and the actress Greta Scacchi.

Born 18 June 1928, died 10 December, 2023, aged 95.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 5 Jan 2024 16:00
  • Sun 7 Jan 2024 20:30

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