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What I Love

Ben Whishaw

Season 1, Ep. 2

On the darkened stage of the locked-down Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, Ian Rickson meets with Bafta and Golden Globe-winning actor Ben Whishaw, in July 2020. They discuss pioneering American independent director John Cassavetes’ 1984 film ‘Love Streams’; Joy Williams’ moving and mysterious short story ‘Chaunt’; and the solace offered to teenage Ben within the original and demo versions of 'The Garden' by PJ Harvey. More details follow below.


‘What I Love’ is created and hosted by Ian Rickson. The theme music is by PJ Harvey. Sound recording by James Hingley. Photography by Helen Murray. Series Producer Ben Walker. Executive Producer Robert Delamere. Produced for Storyglass by Sarah Murray.


Works discussed:

‘Love Streams’ – dir. John Cassavetes; prod. Cannon Films

‘Chaunt’ by Joy Williams, first published in the New Yorker (www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/12/10/chaunt)

'The Garden - demo' by PJ Harvey (Island Records)

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    44:21||Season 1, Ep. 8
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    52:53||Season 1, Ep. 4
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    01:00:36||Season 1, Ep. 3
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    56:23||Season 1, Ep. 1
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  • Trailer

    02:20||Season 1
    Created and hosted by Ian Rickson, one of British theatre’s most celebrated directors, What I Love is a series of intimate conversations with actors, writers, comedians, and producers, conducted on the empty stages of some of Britain’s most iconic theatres, shut down due to the pandemic. Against this backdrop of isolation and loss, guests explore what matters most to them through sharing three cultural highlights: a cherished piece of writing, a memorable song and a favourite film.Guests in series one include Kae Tempest, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cush Jumbo, Ben Whishaw, Sonia Friedman, Russell Brand, Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn. These episodes were recorded by James Hingley and photographed by Helen Murray at the Harold Pinter Theatre, the Young Vic Theatre, the Palace Theatre and the Hackney Empire in London and Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead.Series theme music by PJ Harvey. Series Producer Ben Walker. Executive Producer Robert Delamere. Produced for Storyglass by Sarah Murray.