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Malcolm Mowbray, Victoria Amelina, Roger Lovegrove, Mavis Cheek

Matthew Bannister on film director Malcolm Mowbray, novelist Victoria Amelina, ornithologist Roger Lovegrove and writer Mavis Cheek.

Matthew Bannister on

Malcolm Mowbray, the British film director best known for making “A Private Function” - the comedy about wartime rationing starring Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. The film’s writer Alan Bennett pays tribute.

Victoria Amelina, the Ukrainian novelist and war crimes researcher who was killed in a missile strike in Kramatorsk.

Roger Lovegrove, the ornithologist who played a leading role in re-introducing red kites to the UK.

Mavis Cheek, who wrote humorous novels about middle class marriage and relationships. We’re joined by her friend Helen Lederer.

Interviewee: Olha Mukha
Interviewee: Alan Bennett
Interviewee: Joe Mowbray
Interviewee: Roy Dennis
Interviewee: Helen Lederer

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Archive used:
Kramatorsk: Russian missile strike hits restaurants in Ukrainian city, Verified Live, ±«Óătv World News, 28/06/2023; Victoria Amelina interview recorded 15/05/2023, Copyright Clearance Centre, YouTube uploaded 03/07/2023; Playhouse: Days at the Beach, Director: Malcolm Mowbray, ±«Óătv Two, 13/02/1981; Our Winnie, ±«Óătv Four, repeated broadcast 10/12/2009; Malcolm Mowbray, London Standard Film Awards, ±«Óătv One, 26/01/1986; A Private Function (1984) film promotion, Hand Made Films, YoutTube uploaded 24/05/2019; A Private Function (1984), Hand Made Films, 1984; Roger Lovegrove: Red Kite, The Great British Birdwatch ±«Óătv One, 19/06/1989 ; Red Kite sound effects, RSPB, recordist Jens Kirkeby, recorded 17/08/2005; Mavis Cheek interview, Woman’s Hour, ±«Óătv Radio 4, 04/03/2002; Mavis Cheek reading The Sex Life of My Aunt, Faber and Faber, Arts Archive, Woman’s Hour arts book archive website, ±«Óătv Radio 4, uploaded 04/03/2002; Mavis Cheek interview and extract reading, Sixty Minutes, ±«Óătv One, 26/10/1983.

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28 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Jul 2023 20:30
±«Óătv Radio 4

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Victoria Amelina


The Ukrainian novelist and war crimes researcher who was killed in a missile strike in Kramatorsk..

Last Word spoke to her friend Olha Mukha from PEN International.

Born 1 January 1986; died 1 July 2023, aged 37. 

Malcolm Mowbray


The film director best known for making “A Private Function” - the comedy about wartime rationing starring Michael Palin and Maggie Smith..

Last Word spoke to writer Alan Bennett and Malcolm’s son Joe Mowbray.

Born 24 June 1949; died 23 June 2023, aged 74.

Roger Lovegrove OBE


The ornithologist who played a leading role in re-introducing red kites to the UK

Last Word spoke to friend, the ornithologist and broadcaster Roy Dennis.

Born September 1935,  died 22 June, 2023, aged 88 

Mavis Cheek


who wrote humorous novels about middle class marriage and relationships. We’re joined by her friend Helen Lederer.

Last Word spoke to her friend, the actor and comedian Helen Lederer.  

Born 25th February 1948, died 14th June 2023, died aged 75.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 14 Jul 2023 16:00
    ±«Óătv Radio 4
  • Sun 16 Jul 2023 20:30
    ±«Óătv Radio 4

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  • Last Word

    Radio 4's weekly obituary programme