True Born Englishman: did the BBC ban this Buckingham Palace play?

Peter Barnes’ monologue about a royal footman was commissioned for radio but never broadcast until now. Director Philip Franks and others unravel its mysteryThe most celebrated set of dramatic monologues for broadcasting and theatre are Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, first performed in the 1980s. But, at around the same time, a lesser-known dramatist created another trove of solos. Peter Barnes had 14 soliloquies on BBC Radio 3 under the umbrella titles Barnes’ People and More Barnes’ People. They attracted remarkable actors, including Laurence Olivier (in his final role), Judi Dench, Alec Guinness, Alan Rickman, Janet Suzman and Jeremy Irons.Barnes wrote, though, a 15th monologue, which the BBC, in mysterious circumstances, withdrew from production in 1990. A True Born Englishman, in which a Buckingham Palace lackey recalls his career, will now have its world premiere online, performed by Adrian Scarborough, on 18 February, alongside new versions of three monologues that did go out on radio. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2021-02-12 13:00:44 UTC ]
News tagged with: #alan bennett #talking heads #alan rickman #jeremy irons

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Turning Nairobi’s Public Libraries Into ‘Palaces for the People’

A Kenyan nonprofit is restoring iconic public libraries, leaving behind a segregated past and turning them into inclusive spaces. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-02-04 10:00:30 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House’s All Ways Black Collective Battles Book Bans

A community of Black writers and readers, the group is partnering with Little Free Library to bring more free libraries to Black communities across the country. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-02 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #black writers #free library #free libraries #black communities #libraries


Book Bans are Driving Kids Away from Libraries and Reading

As recent laws restrict school librarians from bringing in new books, they're seeing a drop off of students using the library at all. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-01-23 17:38:56 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book bans #libraries


Bookwire Expands Its Text-to-Speech Audiobook Offer with Google Play Books

The Frankfurt-based Bookwire has entered a partnership with Google Play Books for broader automated production of audiobooks. The post Bookwire Expands Its Text-to-Speech Audiobook Offer with Google Play Books appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-01-17 14:43:24 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bookwire expands #frankfurt-based bookwire #audiobook


A Banned Book Club Reading Guide for NEW KID by Jerry Craft

Banned books are some of the best to discuss in book clubs. This reading guide to frequently banned book New Kid will help you get started! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-01-17 11:37:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #jerry craft #banned books #book clubs #reading guide #banned book


How 'Gender Queer: A Memoir' became America's most banned book

Maia Kobabe's graphic memoir "Gender Queer" became the most banned book in American schools, drawing the Northern California artist and writer into the nation's cultural wars. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-12-21 11:00:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #gender queer #maia kobabe #american schools #banned book #graphic memoir


How Your Book Club Can Fight Against Books Bans and Censorship

Censorship attempts and book bans are at an all time high, but even a handful of people in a book club can make a difference. Here's how. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-12-15 11:35:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #censorship attempts #books bans #book bans #time high #book club


Freedom to Read Advocates Warn of Proposed ‘Book Rating’ Bill in Texas, Rising Book Bans in Missouri

While still in the early stages of the legislative process, the proposed bill in Texas would require publishers to develop a new rating system for books, and would give Texas state officials the power to bar schools from doing business with publishers who do not comply with the state’s directives. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Prison Memoir Banned from Florida Prisons

A memoir by a reporter who experienced incarceration and rehabilitation may be banned from Florida state prisons. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-11-04 10:39:00 UTC ]
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'1619 Project' Creator Nikole Hannah-Jones Slams Backlash, Book-Banning Efforts

The project, which examines the history and effects of slavery, has faced bans and attempted bans since its publication in 2019. Continue reading at The Huffington Post

[ The Huffington Post | 2022-10-28 07:39:53 UTC ]
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Panel Explores Surge in Book Bans, Policies Targeting the LGBTQ Community

With a wave of book bans and educational gag orders still surging across the country, an online panel this week explored how the bans are targeting and impacting the LGBTQ community—and how concerned communities can push back. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book bans #lgbtq community #push back


A proposed Russian “LGBQT Propaganda” bill would ban work by Dostoevsky and Bulgakov.

Russian publishers—specifically, an organization called the Russian Book Union (RKC)—are concerned that a new “LGBQT Propaganda” bill could lead to the banning of Russian classics by the likes of Dostoevsky and Bulgakov. According to independent Russian news organization Meduza: …the RKC says... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-17 14:18:07 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #russian book


Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in Harry Potter films, dies at 72

Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who played a forensic psychologist on the TV series Cracker and Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, has died. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-10-14 17:36:32 UTC ]
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Who Are The Groups Banning Books Near You?: Book Censorship News, September 23, 2022

Banned Books Week has been a busy week for banning books. That, plus a look at some of the regional groups pushing censorship. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-09-23 10:40:00 UTC ]
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Congressional Resolution Condemns Nationwide Book Banning Efforts

In honor of Banned Books Week, the resolution seeks to recognize the “alarming threats to freedom of expression” sweeping the country, and calls for “local governments and educational institutions” to protect the rights of Americans “to read a wide array of book reflecting a multitude of... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Alexie, Evison, Hopkins Speak Up in Defense of Banned Books

The Authors Guild hosted a virtual panel yesterday evening with Sherman Alexie, Jonathan Evison, and Ellen Hopkins discussing banned books and what authors can do to support books that are under attack. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sherman alexie #jonathan evison #banned books #authors guild


It’s official: Book-banning attempts aimed at libraries are way up this year.

The American Library Association has released its preliminary data on attempts to censor books or limit library resources, and the numbers are bad. From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, there were 681 “attempts to ban or restrict library resources,” targeting 1,651 titles in total. This number already exceeds... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-09-16 16:06:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #total number #preliminary data #censor books #censorship efforts #library association #libraries


Attempts to Ban Books Are Accelerating and Becoming More Divisive

To mark Banned Books Week, the American Library Association released a report on the rise in censorship efforts: In 2022, there have been attempts to restrict access to 1,651 titles. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-09-16 13:30:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ban books #censorship efforts #restrict access #library association


A Banned Books Week Action List: Book Censorship News, September 16, 2022

Take action during Banned Books Week with these action items. That, plus this week's roundup of book censorship news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-09-16 10:40:00 UTC ]
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John Green’s First Novel May Be Banned At His Old School

"Please don't ban my books in my hometown," John Green concluded in the TikTok. "It's really upsetting for my mom." Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-09-13 13:44:10 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #john green #first novel