David Mitchell, Elizabeth Llewellyn, Wuthering Heights on stage

Comedian David Mitchell discusses his West End debut playing William Shakespeare in Ben Elton’s stage adaptation of the BBC TV sitcom, Upstart Crow. The play, which also stars Gemma Whelan and Mark Heap, explores the realities of life for the man behind the drama as he attempts to resurrect his career and save London theatre form the puritans.

Leading soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn has, over the last 10 years, won many plaudits for her voice that’s been described as distinctive and unforgettable. She discusses taking on the title role in a production of Verdi’s Luisa Miller at ENO – the first time the opera, dating from the middle of Verdi’s career, has been performed at the Coliseum.

Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights is a 19th century classic with its tempestuous love story between spirited Catherine Earnshaw and brooding Heathcliff becoming a shorthand for obsessive passion. Conventionally, it’s been seen as book for girls but that hasn’t deterred playwrights Andrew Sheridan and Ben Lewis who join Stig to discuss their respective new stage adaptations of Brontë’s gothic tale.

Presenter Stig Abell Producer Jerome Weatherald