Arts & Ideas
BBC Radio 4
Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives – looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Broadcast as Free Thinking, Fridays at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 2, 2015 • 20min
PROMS EXTRA - 120 years of London School of Economics: 2 Sep 15
Michael Cox explores the history of the London School of Economics with Stephanie Flanders
Aug 31, 2015 • 20min
Proms Extra: Willa Cather's The Song of the Lark - 31 August 15
The American novelist Willa Cather's 'The Song of the Lark' was first published a hundred years ago in 1915. Her biographer Dame Hermione Lee talks to New Generation Thinker Sarah Dillon about Cather's story of a young girl who leaves her home town in Colorado to pursue a career as an opera singer. The reader is Laurel Lefkow. Recorded in front of an audience at the Royal College of Music.
Aug 22, 2015 • 19min
Proms Extra: The Lumiere Brothers in 1895 - 22.08.15
Ian Christie on the Lumiere brothers' invention of the world's first film camera in 1895.
Aug 20, 2015 • 21min
Proms Extra: Hans Christian Andersen 20 August 15
Join Danish historian Lars Tharp and children's literature expert Julia Eccleshare as they unravel the enchanting legacy of Hans Christian Andersen. They delve into the timeless themes of empowerment and imagination in Andersen's stories, reflecting on personal connections to classics like 'The Ugly Duckling.' The conversation highlights the universal appeal of his tales compared to the Brothers Grimm, while also exploring the intricate blend of whimsy and darker undertones that define Danish storytelling. Discover how Andersen continues to shape modern ideas about childhood.
Aug 17, 2015 • 21min
Proms Extra: The National Trust - 17.08.15
The history of the National Trust with Dame Helen Ghosh and Patrick Barkham.
Aug 9, 2015 • 20min
Proms Extra: DH Lawrence's The Rainbow 09 August 15
The novelists Helen Dunmore and Louise Welsh discuss DH Lawrence's 'The Rainbow', first published a hundred years ago in 1915, with Rana Mitter. The novel, which was banned on publication, tells the story of the Brangwen family as they face the decline of their pastoral life in the face of industrialisation. Presented by Rana Mitter.
Aug 3, 2015 • 20min
Proms Extra: Oscar Wilde in 1895: 3 Aug 2015
Philip Hoare and Merlin Holland discuss Wilde's tumultuous year. With Shahidha Bari.
Aug 2, 2015 • 21min
Proms Extra: Memory in Performance – 2 Aug 15
Actress Lisa Dwan and singer Susan Bullock discuss the role of memory in performance.
Jul 30, 2015 • 21min
Proms Extra: Alice in Wonderland 30 July 15
Its early readers included Queen Victoria and a young Oscar Wilde. 150 years after it became a publishing sensation the writer Lynne Truss and children's novelist Philip Ardagh discuss 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and its enduring appeal to readers, writers and film makers with Anne McElvoy.Recorded in front of an audience at the Royal College of Music.
Jul 30, 2015 • 21min
Proms Extra: Ezra Pound's 'Cathay - 29 July 15
Poets Jo Shapcott and Sean O'Brien discuss Ezra Pound's poetry collection, 'Cathay'.
