Arts & Ideas

Samira Ahmed talks with Lee Smolin, a controversial and prominent figure in the field of theoretical physics, about the search for a new kind of theory that can be applied to the whole universe challenging the way we experience time. Is Italy a Mafia republic? Acclaimed Mafia historian John Dickie, political journalist Annalisa Piras and author Clare Longrigg discuss. Samuel Beckett's 'Not I' premiered 40 years ago. To mark the anniversary the Royal Court theatre is staging the piece again, performed by Lisa Dwan. Lisa and Derval Tubridy, join Samira. Challenges to our concept of the physical world abound with recent news in technological advances. Philosopher Julian Baggini reflects on conceiving the inconceivable.

Anne McElvoy examines the political legacy of Edmund Burke with Conservative MP Jesse Norman, who is keen to point out differences between Burke's more communitarian conservatism and the liberal individualism espoused by some people who describe themselves as conservatives today. Exploring a new exhibition on propaganda and power at the British Library are Eliane Glaser, author of Get Real: How To Tell It Like It Is In A World Of Illusion and Matthew McGregor, Political Director of Blue State Digital who was involved in the 2012 Obama election campaign. Sean Holmes, artistic director of the Lyric Theatre, the actor Adjoa Andoh and Geoff Colman, Head of Acting at Central School of Speech and Drama discuss the future of acting.

Matthew Sweet talks to Peter Brook. The theatre director has had a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare which he has explored in his productions of plays including A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear and Hamlet starring actors such as Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Paul Scofield. He discusses his new book of essays reflecting on the playwright, The Quality of Mercy.

With Samira Ahmed. Sarah Churchwell and Kevin Jackson discuss the Great Gatsby as a new film, directed by Baz Luhrmann is released. Samira talks to the Indian architect Charles Correa about how he attempts to marry modernism with concern for local meaning in his work. And Samira is joined by historian and blogger Tim Stanley, the historian of Communism Robert Service, and the leader of the Green Party Natalie Bennett to discuss political movements.

Matthew Sweet visits Tate Britain’s unveiling of a comprehensive new vision of its permanent collection. Thematic presentation gives way to strict chronology. Susannah Clapp gives a first night review of Public Enemy, a new production of Ibsen's play about corruption and the nature of the public good. New research has revealed only a very small percentage of the population has made plans for the end of their lives. Matthew and guests discuss the idea of the good death. F R Leavis’ spirit has been summoned to the discussion table in the recent wranglings about what should be taught to children in schools. David Ellis, who studied with, and the novelist Margaret Drabble discuss his influence and reputation.

Anne McElvoy applies herself to the crisis of modern banking, the plight of buildings in Moscow and a masterpiece of British theatre. She talks to Simon Russell Beale and John Simm about the latter, Pinter's early tragicomdedy, The Hothouse, before sharing notes on bankers with the academic economist, Anat Admati and then enlisting the views of the conservationist, Clem Cecil about the Melnikov House - one of the jewels in Russia's modernist crown. She’s also joined by Karen Leeder and Catherine Merridale to discuss the power that Hitler and Stalin still exert over writers in Germany and Russia.

The Mark Rothko Arts Centre has opened its doors for the first time and some of his paintings return to his birthplace in Daugavpils, Latvia. Philip Dodd journeys there to speak to curator, for whom the project has been a labour of love, and Rothko's children about their father's memories of the city. John Beddington is the former chief scientific advisor to the government. He’s represented the interests of the scientific community to Whitehall during an era of massive cutbacks in public spending. He talks to Philip about what role scientists play in the big decisions of public life?

Rana Mitter talks to the playwright Peter Nichols as his 1981 Passion Play opens again in the West End with Zoe Wanamaker as the betrayed wife Eleanor. In his latest book Strictly Bipolar, psychoanalyst Darian Leader looks at the cultural setting for bipolar disorder, and suggests a new way of making sense of the condition. And the architect Sunand Prasad and critic Rowan Moore discuss meaning in architecture and the role of the audience - or the public as we call them when discussing buildings rather than plays - in creating that meaning.

Matthew Sweet talks to actor, writer and international screen star Terence Stamp as a season of his films re-examines his career at London's British Film Institute.

Anne McElvoy hosts a special edition looking at the state of warfare in the modern world. Today Western nations find themselves in conflicts with enemy networks, rather than enemy nations, the technology of war has developed to using unmanned aerial vehicles, and our increasing reliance on the internet raises the spectre cyber warfare. Do these developments mean we've entered a new era for warfare? What do they mean for the ethics of conflict in the modern world?