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British author Tim Adler's latest book, "House of Redgrave: The Secret Lives of a Theatrical Dynasty", is filled with bombshell revelations about one of Britain's most celebrated acting families. On this week's Poliwood, Roger Simon and Lionel Chetwynd delve into the sordid politics to which Vanessa Redgrave and her brother Corin were dedicated. How did these children of privilege come to think of themselves as leaders of the working class? And why did they embrace the leader of the Workers Revolutionary Party even after he admitted to having "red sex slaves"?

As Tony Richardson settled into his seat in the stalls, he wasn’t expecting much. He’d seen As You Like It before, and there was no clue to suggest this production would be any better. In fact, he was about to fall violently in love. The moment Vanessa Redgrave appeared on stage — ‘like a sinuous golden flame’, he said later — he knew with complete certainty that they belonged together.

Lynn Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances, has died. She was 67.

NEW YORK - Lynn Redgrave, an introspective and independent player in her family's acting dynasty who became a 1960s sensation as the freethinking title character of "Georgy Girl" and later dramatized her troubled past in such one-woman stage performances "Shakespeare for My Father" and "Nightingale," has died. She was 67

Vanessa Redgrave helps Guantanamo suspects By Philip Johnston, Home Affairs Editor  Last Updated: 7:55pm GMT 20/12/2007     Two suspected al-Qa’eda operatives released from Guantanamo Bay have walked free from court although they are still wanted in Spain on terrorism-related offences. Profile: Vanessa Redgrave, human rights campaigner Profiles: The Guantanamo four Philip Johnston: Why should Guantanamo detainees return? One of the men, who is accused of distributing extremist propaganda produced by Osama bin Laden, had half of his £50,000 bail surety met by the actress Vanessa Redgrave.   Redgrave met half of Jamil el-Banna's bail Jamil el-Banna, 45, who was...

Wake! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight The Stars before him from the Field of Night, Drives Night along with them from Heav'n, and strikes The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light Portland, Oregon -- So begins The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, one of the best-known poems in the world and perhaps the most famous piece of Persian literature. The several hundred quatrains that make up this enduring 11th century work have been translated into dozens of languages and inspired countless readers and scholars with their beauty. At least nine editions of The Rubaiyat are currently in print...

LONDON (AP) - A Chechen leader wanted in Russia on charges of terrorism and murder has been granted refugee status in Britain, the government said Saturday. A British judge had rejected a Russian government request to extradite Akhmed Zakayev earlier this month, saying he risked being tortured if he was sent back. "We can confirm that Mr. Zakayev has been granted refugee status," a Home Office spokesman said. He did not give further details. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Chizhov called the decision politically motivated and said it would hurt relations with Britain, which he accused of double standards on...

Film star Vanessa Redgrave stepped in to help in the release of fellow actor Ahmed Zakayev, a Chechen rebel envoy accused of mass murder, who is seeking political asylum in the UK. It is not the first time the actress has spoken out publicly on causes she supports. BBC News Online takes a look at the political episodes that have featured in her life. Vanessa Redgrave, born in 1937, is a fully-fledged member of an acting dynasty. She is the daughter of actors Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, sister of Corin and Lynn Redgrave, and mother of Natasha and...