Michael Pennington, Cynthia Shange, Scott Hastings, Beverley Martyn

About this episode

Kirsty Lang discusses the lives and contributions of notable figures including Michael Pennington, Cynthia Shange, Scott Hastings, and Beverley Martyn.

Kirsty Lang on Michael Pennington, the Shakespearean actor who preferred a life on stage to the glamour of Hollywood. For Dame Judi Dench, he was her 'Mr Plum', she recalls his life. Cynthia Shange defied apartheid to become the first Black woman to represent South Africa at Miss World. Scott Hastings the rugby legend, who was once Scotland’s most capped player. He went on to become a well-known commentator and campaigner for mental health charities, following the death of his wife after her long battle with depression. And Beverley Martyn, the singer songwriter, a star of the British folk scene, who was signed by Beatles producer George Martin aged 16, but her career was not a smooth ride. Please note this programme references suicide. Support and information is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Interviewee: Dame Judi Dench Interviewee: Nonhle Thema Interviewee: John Beattie Interviewee: Joe Boyd Producer: Catherine Powell Assistant Producer: Ribika Moktan Researcher: Jesse Edwards Editor: Andrea Kennedy Archive: Miss World 1972. BBC TV, 01 Dec 1972; Bob Harris Sunday : Beverley Martyn plays live, BBC Radio 2, 27th April 2014; Five Nations, Rugby Union, Scotland v England, 17th…

People in this episode

Host: Kirsty Lang

Guests: Dame Judi Dench, Nonhle Thema, John Beattie, Joe Boyd

Topics covered

• theatre
• sports
• mental health
• music
• apartheid
• personal stories

Keywords

• Michael Pennington
• Cynthia Shange
• Scott Hastings
• Beverley Martyn
• mental health
• theatre
• Miss World
• rugby
• music

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4

Books & works: Richard II, Gift of Gorgon, Henry V

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