07/09/2011

This week Libby Purves is joined by Laura Whitfield, Alastair Hignell, Matteo Pistono and Nigel Havers. Laura Whitfield was a child swimming champion before becoming an actor. She is appearing in the Channel 4 observational documentary series, 'Seven Dwarves', which follows the lives of seven dwarf actors as they live together and perform in a production of Snow White. Alastair Hignell CBE was a gifted sportsman who played rugby for England and county cricket for Gloucestershire. Forced to retire early through injury, he turned, via teaching, to broadcasting, becoming a commentator for both the BBC and ITV. In 1999 he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In his book 'Higgy: Matches, Microphones and MS' he tells of his journey of discovery about living with disability. 'Higgy: Matches, Microphones and MS' is published by Bloomsbury. Matteo Pistono is a writer and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. After first going to Tibet to deepen his meditation skills he was shocked by the stories he heard of Tibetans being tortured in Chinese prisons. After becoming a student of a venerated meditation master he began couriering messages to him from the Dalai Lama in India. His memoir, 'In the Shadow of the Buddha' is published by Hay House. He will be giving a talk at the Free Word and The Tibet Society in London during his visit to the UK. Nigel Havers is appearing in a new play 'Basket Case', written by Nick Fisher. A comedy about a divorced couple in Wiltshire drawn together for a day by the death of their elderly dog. He plays golf-mad smoothie Guy. 'Basket Case' opens in Northampton before touring the UK. Producer: Chris Paling.