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Arnold Wesker - Chicken Soup with BarleyBBC World Book Club at the Book Edinburgh FestivalDateline: 18th August, 2006This month's edition of the World Service programme BBC World Book Club came from Edinburgh. The BTG was invited to attend and contribute to the show, which will be broadcast on 26th September at 9.30, 3.30 and 7.30. Interviewer, Harriet Gilbert introduced Arnold Wesker, who is a squat, well-spoken man whose looks belie his years. With her beautifully modulated, broadcaster's tones, she explained that we were there to discuss Wesker's first produced play, Chicken Soup with Barley, which debuted in 1958. The hour primarily consisted of questions both from the floor and listeners. The latter prove the popularity of the World Service and this programme. There were listeners from the USA, South Africa and the UK with academics to the fore, while the audience were generally from the UK and mostly Jewish. Wesker started the morning by reading an extract from the beginning of the play to set the scene and also chose a second later in the recording. The questioning covered a wide area, going well beyond the subject matter of the play. Wesker explained, to any that did not already know, that the family in the play (and its two partners) were very much based on his own, with young Ronnie a copy of Wesker himself. He was happy to talk about the politics of the play, the characters of his parents and interestingly, the effect that being portrayedon stage had on them. Worryingly, after seeing herself on stage, his sister needed therapy, though not for too long. If you have time, do listen to the broadcast. You might even hear a question from your correspondent, if it isn't edited out! Philip Fisher
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