Billy Porter on activism and artists
Billy Porter discusses his new play the Bitter Earth, and a look ahead to Glastonbury.
An episode of the Front Row podcast, hosted by BBC Radio 4, titled "Billy Porter on activism and artists" was published on June 24, 2025 and runs 42 minutes.
June 24, 2025 ·42m · Front Row
Summary
Billy Porter, famous for his Broadway roles in such shows as Kinky Boots and Grease, and onscreen in Pose and Cinderella is making his directorial debut in theatre with This Bitter Earth. Jesse is an introspective Black playwright and when Neil, Jesse’s boyfriend, who is a white Black Lives Matter activist, accuses him of political apathy, their passions and priorities collide. Playwright Harrison David Rivers and Billy Porter talk to Samira Ahmed about their production.Glastonbury festival kicks off this week, and the line-up includes its now familiar mix of famous veteran rock stars, chart-topping solo artists and headline-making bands. But music festivals are still struggling in the wake of Covid, and are facing numerous challenges. Former Spotify Exec Will Page and journalist Jude Rogers are on to discuss.The Art Fund's Museum of the Year prize is being announced on Thursday, and we've been speaking to all the finalists. Today it's the turn of Compton Verney Art Gallery, situated in a grand Georgian house in the Warwickshire countryside. Samira was taken on a tour by CEO Geraldine Collinge and guide Christine Cluley.And we pay tribute to Clovis Salmon, who is credited with being the UK's first black documentary filmmaker. Sandi Hudson-Frances, artist and fellow filmmaker, and Ros Griffiths, organiser of Brixton's Big Caribbean Lunch and curator of new public art project Windrush Untold Stories, share their personal memories of him.Presenter Samira Ahmed Producer: Claire Bartleet
Episode Description
Billy Porter, famous for his Broadway roles in such shows as Kinky Boots and Grease, and onscreen in Pose and Cinderella is making his directorial debut in theatre with This Bitter Earth. Jesse is an introspective Black playwright and when Neil, Jesse’s boyfriend, who is a white Black Lives Matter activist, accuses him of political apathy, their passions and priorities collide. Playwright Harrison David Rivers and Billy Porter talk to Samira Ahmed about their production.
Glastonbury festival kicks off this week, and the line-up includes its now familiar mix of famous veteran rock stars, chart-topping solo artists and headline-making bands. But music festivals are still struggling in the wake of Covid, and are facing numerous challenges. Former Spotify Exec Will Page and journalist Jude Rogers are on to discuss.
The Art Fund's Museum of the Year prize is being announced on Thursday, and we've been speaking to all the finalists. Today it's the turn of Compton Verney Art Gallery, situated in a grand Georgian house in the Warwickshire countryside. Samira was taken on a tour by CEO Geraldine Collinge and guide Christine Cluley.
And we pay tribute to Clovis Salmon, who is credited with being the UK's first black documentary filmmaker. Sandi Hudson-Frances, artist and fellow filmmaker, and Ros Griffiths, organiser of Brixton's Big Caribbean Lunch and curator of new public art project Windrush Untold Stories, share their personal memories of him.
Presenter Samira Ahmed Producer: Claire Bartleet
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