We interrupt this broadcaster: why did Winston Churchill try to seize the BBC?

In 1926, with the General Strike looming and the right warning of a Bolshevik revolution, the BBC found itself in a dreadful dilemma. Writer Jack Thorne on why he turned this into ‘a love letter to people in authority’Jack Thorne is a furiously busy scriptwriter and, although he’s celebrated for bringing Harry Potter to the stage and His Dark Materials to the screen, he loves a chewy subject. In recent years, he’s tackled child abuse, the plight of care homes in the pandemic, and a Grenfell-like catastrophe that devastates a community. At the moment, his play The Motive and the Cue, about the famously rocky process of putting together John Gielgud’s production of Hamlet starring Richard Burton, is at the National Theatre in London.He will soon have another play on in the city. When we meet, Thorne – tall, gangly, scrappily bearded, wearing a T-shirt with a printed design that instantly calls to mind the armoured bear in His Dark Materials – is on a break from watching a run-through of his newest work, When Winston Went to War With the Wireless. It stages an early crisis for the BBC that shaped its future and set the tone for the way it handles political pressure to this day. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2023-06-05 07:00:22 UTC ]

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'Mockingjay -- Part 2' logs $101-million opening, lowest in 'Hunger Games' franchise

Katniss Everdeen may have come out on top of the weekend box office with an estimated $101 million in domestic ticket sales, but the new "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2" fell short of industry expectations and, unlike the "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" young-adult juggernauts, her "Hunger... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-11-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Television takes on film in the next chapter of book adaptations

Fungus the Bogeyman and Stick Man are latest book characters to go on the boxAdaptations of children’s and young adult literature are big news right now, both in film and, increasingly, on television. Mockingjay – Part 2, the climax of Lionsgate’s big screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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First look at the 'Harry Potter' prequel 'Fantastic Beasts' channels that old magic

Hungry for wands, stuffy spell books and elaborate magical alleys with complicated villain back stories? Never fear, the Harry Potter universe has returned with the new prequel film "Fantastic Beasts." Entertainment Weekly has debuted a collection of stills for the "Harry Potter" prequel,... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-11-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Sequel play to pick up where final JK Rowling book left off

A new play will pick up the story of Harry Potter where the seventh and final volume of JK Rowling's saga left off, with a plot involving a grown-up Harry and his youngest son, Albus. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2015-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child': Here's how the play fits into the 'Potter' universe

'Potter' fans now know what the upcoming play will be about and it involves more of the characters from the book series than they may have thought. The show is set to open in London in the summer of 2016. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-10-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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This Week's Bestsellers: October 19, 2015

It’s a big week for old favorites, especially among children’s authors: Rick Riordan has the #1 book in the country, Harry Potter is back with a new look, and ‘Twilight'’s Bella and Edward are back with new genders. Plus two books delved into Kennedy Clan history, Patti Smith follows up ‘Just... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-10-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter’s long spell

It's been several years since the last book in the 'Potter' series was published, but judging by the fervor of fans, the boy wizard isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-10-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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iBooks Bestsellers: ‘Harry Potter’ Takes the Lead

J.K. Rowling’s 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone' knocked Andy Weir’s 'The Martian' from its #1 spot on the iBooks Bestsellers list for the week ended October 11. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-10-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Illustrated Edition – in pictures

From the multi-coloured sorting hat, to the sinister Snape to the red glow of Ron’s hair, we revel in Jim Kay’s glorious pictures for the new illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone• Win a copy of the new illustrated edition, plus a signed Jim Kay print and a Harry Potter... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-10-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter and the Mysterious Defeat Device

The Environmental Protection Agency should have listened to Ron Weasley’s dad. In the Harry Potter books and films, Arthur Weasley is a bureaucrat in the British magical world’s chief regulatory agency, the Ministry of Magic, where his job is to protect people from dangerous devices. He is known... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2015-09-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Back to Hogwarts: 'Harry Potter' fans celebrate the traditional first day of school

In the 'Potter' books, Hogwarts students always head back to school on Sept. 1. Many fans are celebrating today and 'Potter' fanatics have a new book (by Rowling although not set in the 'Potter' universe), a new theme park, and – a bit farther out – a new movie to look forward to. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-09-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling's truth about Hagrid spawns sad 'Harry Potter' fan theory

"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling often interacts with fans on Twitter to share previously unknown facts about the characters from the wizarding world of her books, but a recent confession about Hagrid has left some people sad. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-09-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hot Key buys Manning YA romance

Hot Key Books has acquired a YA rom-com, set in London, by author and journalist Sarra Manning. London Belongs to Us follows Sunny and her friends as they cross London one night, chasing an errant boyfriend from Cyrstal Palace to Alexandra Palace. The story is a “love letter to being young,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Deluxe Harry Potter from Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury will this November publish a deluxe edition of the illustrated Harry Potter, with artwork by Jim Kay, priced at £150.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – Deluxe Illustrated Edition will be published alongside the £30 version, also illustrated by Kay.   Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Go Set a Watchman launch excitement builds ahead of publication

Harper Lee’s unexpected companion novel to To Kill a Mockingbird has bookshops readying for huge salesRead the first chapterListen to an extract read by Reese WitherspoonFirst chapter review: A beguiling journey into the pastSix months ago, it was a book the literary world would have laughed off... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Long It Takes Kids to Read Popular Books

Personal Creations show how long it takes kids to read classic books, from Clifford the Big Red Dog to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The post How Long It Takes Kids to Read Popular Books appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rowling pens Harry Potter play

Author J K Rowling has confirmed that a Harry Potter play, entitled "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", will open in the West End next year. Rowling broke the news today (26th June) on Twitter, saying the play “will tell a new story, which is the result of a collaboration between writer Jack... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child': What will it be about?

'Potter' author J.K. Rowling recently revealed more details about the new play about the boy wizard that's opening in London in 2016. What will the story of the new play be? Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Will Eddie Redmayne star in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'?

The 'Theory of Everything' actor has reportedly been offered the role of protagonist Newt Scamander. 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling is writing the screenplay for the movie, which is set in the world of 'Potter.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J.K. Rowling apologizes on the Battle of Hogwarts anniversary (+video)

As the fictional anniversary of a 'Harry Potter' battle was celebrated, Rowling took to social media to apologize to fans for killing off a beloved character. More may be coming. 'I thought I might apologise for one death per anniversary,' the author wrote. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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