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Hamilton musical, Irish film Sanctuary, Louise Erdrich novel, BBC TV Christmas specials

Hamilton opens in London. Sanctuary, an Irish film with a cast made up of actors with learning difficulties. Plus a new novel by Louise Erdrich and TV Christmas specials.

The much-anticipated musical Hamilton has opened in London. It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton; one of the Founding Fathers of The United States with intentionally colour-conscious casting of non-white actors as the Founding Fathers. It has been a phenomenon on Broadway and across the US; how will it play with British audiences?
Irish film Sanctuary has a cast made up almost exclusively of actors with learning difficulties. It lightly tells the story of a trip to the cinema where the best laid plans go awry. And even though it includes hugging and learning, does it tread the difficult line avoiding sentimentality or patronising the cast and the issues raised?
In Louise Erdrich's newest novel Future Home Of The Living God, evolution is running backwards and all around the central character society is crumbling. She's a 26 year old fighting for her life in an oppressive post-cataclysm America, pregnant (maybe by an angel)
And we review 3 of the BBC's TV Christmas specials: Father Brown, Upstart Crow and Not Going Out - what is the attraction of these yearly yuletide delights?

Tom Sutcliffe's guests are Sarah Churchwell, Dreda Say Mitchell and David Benedict. The producer is Oliver Jones.

Available now

45 minutes

Hamilton

Hamilton

Hamilton runs at The Victoria Palace Theatre for the foreseeable future, with bookings currently being taken until 30th June

Sanctuary

Sanctuary

Sanctuary (cert 15), is on limited release 

Louise Erdrich

Louise Erdrich

Future Home Of The Living God by Louise Erdrich is published by Corsair 

TV Christmas specials

TV Christmas specials

Father Brown is available on iPlayer, Not Going Out is on BBC1 at 2245 on 24th December, Upstart Crow is on BBC2 at 2025 on Christmas Day

Podcast recommendations

Dreda recommends: For Once in My LifeDavid recommends: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 
Sarah recommends: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson, Remember The NightTom recommends: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterTom Sutcliffe
Interviewed GuestSarah Churchwell
Interviewed GuestDavid Benedict
Interviewed GuestDreda Say Mitchell
ProducerOliver Jones

Broadcast

  • Sat 23 Dec 201719:15

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