Podcast appearances and mentions of Adrian Lester

2000's Born Romantic is a little seen British comedy about dating in the Y2k era.  Chock a block with UK stars including Craig Ferguson, Catherine McCormack, Jimi Mistry, Adrian Lester, Olivia Williams, David Morrissey and Jane Horrocks, the film follows a group of lonely hearts finding love and laughter with a London salsa club as the center of their romantic universe.  Dan and Vicky discuss the rarely seen film and how we find love and romance in the modern world.  They also talk about some recently seen items like The Rule of Jenny Penn, Freaky Tales, Hell of a Summer, The Amateur and MAX's medical drama The Pitt.  Listen for their thoughts on finding community at the movies, remembering 9/11, and King Lear in Delaware! Our socials:  hotdatepod.com FB:  Hot Date Podcast Twitter: @HotDate726 Insta:  hotdatepod

Philadelphia, Jessica & Gage listen to three versions of 'to be or not be' by Benedict Cumberbatch, Adrian Lester and Andrew Scott, and also their use of our word of the week in that most famous of speeches.  Let us know which one you enjoy most!

Hey hey hey!  Happy Election Month!  isn't everyone EXCITED?!?  Uuuuggggggghhhhhhh.  As is Hold Up Podcast tradition during presidential election season, we watched a political film.  This time it's Primary Colors, the late 90s dramedy from Mike Nichols that's definitely not about the Clintons, wink wink wink.  Will it win the race or suffer a humiliating defeat?  Listen and find out!

Matthew Bannister on James Earl Jones, the versatile actor whose roles ranged from the voice of Darth Vader to Tennessee Williams and Shakespeare. Adrian Lester pays tribute. Dr. Helen Fisher, the biological anthropologist who researched the science behind romantic love. Sergio Mendes, who introduced the world to his unique style of Brazilian music. His friend Herb Alpert shares memories of creating classic albums together. Maureen Nicol who founded the National Housewives' Register to bring together homemaking women for stimulating conversation.Interviewee:- Adrian Lester Interviewee:- Dr Justin Garcia Interviewee:- Herb Alpert Interviewee:-Simon Nicols Interviewee:- Gill WignallProducer: Ed PrendevilleArchive used:Hardtalk 06/12/11; The Lion King, 1994, Directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff, Walt Disney Feature Animation; Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, 1980, Director Irvin Kirshner, LucasFilm Ltd; BBC Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4, 18/03/2009; Episode 118: Helen Fisher - Understanding Why We Love, Keep Talking Podcast, YouTube upload 30/08/2024; The brain in Love – Helen Fisher, Ted Talk, YouTube Upload, 15/07/2008 ; The Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum , BBC Radio 2, 27/07/2010; BBC, SERGIO MENDES AND BRASIL '77 12/03/1974; J to Z , BBCRadio 3, 16/07/2022; Maureen Nicol 60th Anniversary, NWR, 21/02/2020; Woman's Hour, 19/08/1985

Welcome to the first of our Round Table discussions leading up to the regional Green Economy Conference on the 19th November at Swansea Arena. In this episode, we dive into community-led housing initiatives that are paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive future in South West Wales. Our Panel: Sarah Foster: Pembrokeshire Community Led Housing Development Officer at PLANED; Jonathan Hughes: Community Led Housing Advisor for Cwmpas; Adam Land: Board Member of Gwyr Community Land Trust, on the Gower Peninsula; Leonie Ramondt and Adrian Lester, from Swansea Co-Housing. Together, they discuss the vision of affordable, sustainable homes in cohesive neighbourhoods and the challenges of making this vision a reality amidst the current property market and land use issues. From rural to urban settings, our panel explores alternative ways of building, living, and fostering community spirit. And please register your place at the Green Economy Conference on 19th November 2024: https://www.4theregion.org.uk/green-economy-conference-2024/

Colm Toibin, Bonnie Greer and Mendez join Samira Ahmed to celebrate the life and work of the American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin, author of the landmark gay novel Giovanni's Room, as part of a series of programmes on BBC Radio 4 and 3 marking the 100th anniversary of his birth. Colm Toibin is author of the book On James Baldwin Bonnie Greer is writing a memoir of her own personal encounter with James Baldwin Mendez is author of the autobiographical novel Rainbow MilkPresenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Eliane Glaser, Ciaran Bermingham and Robyn ReadOther programmes marking the centenary:Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin is this week's Book at Bedtime on BBC Radio 4 The Lost Archives of James Baldwin - about how and why his personal effects ended up in a village in France - is on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 30 July at 4pm James Baldwin's Words and Music is on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 4 August at 5.30pm and features special readings recorded by Adrian Lester set alongside music

Jason Solomons and Kate Maltby join Tom to review Those About to Die, the new 10-part ‘sword and sandal' series from Amazon Prime, directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Anthony Hopkins. The film Thelma which follows an elderly grandmother who turns action hero to track down her scammer, inspired by her favourite film series – Mission Impossible. And Echo at the Royal Court, the new play from the Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour, starring a new unrehearsed performer every night. The likes of Meera Syal and Adrian Lester take to the stage while guided by Soleimanpour live from his flat in Berlin.Plus Belle and Sebastian perform live ahead of their upcoming festival The Glasgow Weekender. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Claire Bartleet

Episode 58: Georgie JonesGeorgie Jones is a writer and performer known for her humour and heart. She was a Roundhouse Poetry Slam finalist, before joining the Roundhouse Poetry Collective and subsequently spent a year as Roundhouse Resident Artist.It's all a bit Roundhouse centric this, isn't it? But WAIT, there's MORE! Georgie's one-woman shows combine spoken word, stand up and storytelling and have been commissioned by China Plate, MAC, Warwick Arts Centre, In Good Company and generously supported by the Arts Council.She has performed in theatres, at festivals and on radio stations all over the UK. She is often praised for her warmth and wit, so took her poetry to social media in search of other, more varied, compliments. Georgie has amassed over 140k followers, over 5.8 million views and her work has been shared by Malorie Blackman, Adrian Lester and British pop-rock band Bastille who said her poetry was ‘fucking brilliant'. Clang.When she's not peddling her own work, Georgie loves a bit of collaboration. She has worked with numerous brands to create bespoke poetry commissions, ranging from independent body-positive slow-fashion brand LAW Design Studio to the Woodland Trust and everything in between. She combines her love of writing with her love of love through offering a bespoke ghostwriting service for weddings, speeches and events.Georgie also writes and performs with Chortle Award nominated sketch group Just These Please who have sold out runs at Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre respectively.#hygystpod #GeorgieJones #Roundhouse #Chortle #Fringe #SohoTheatre #LAWDDesignStudio Have You Got Your Sh*t Together? with Caitlin O'Ryan, is a podcast that celebrates not having your sh*t together! In each episode, Caitlin interviews guests who seemingly “have their sh*t together” - be that in life/love/work/hobbies. Throughout the conversation, the questions unveil whether they actually do, or whether the whole concept is a lie! With a mix of guests from various backgrounds, the podcast is sure to be relatable, honest, and an antidote to Instagram culture. Producer - Ant Hickman (www.ahickman.uk)Artwork - Tim Saunders (www.instagram.com/timsaunders.design)Photography - Patch Bell (www.patchstudio.uk)Music - Cassia - 'Slow' (www.wearecassia.com)Web: www.hygystpod.comInsta: www.instgram.com/hygystpodEmail: hygystpod@gmail.comRSS: https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/644a8e8eadac0f0010542d86 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of Neil Gaiman's groundbreaking comic book series, "The Sandman," continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling and stellar cast. The series premiered on August 5, 2022, and quickly garnered critical acclaim, including a 9/10 review from IGN, which praised it as an adaptation fans "could only conjure up in their deepest of sleeps." Production for Season 2 resumed in November, and Netflix has now announced the actors who will portray Dream's previously unseen siblings. Esme Creed-Miles, known for her role in "The Doll Factory," will play Delirium. Adrian Lester, star of "Primary Colors," will take on the role of Destiny. Barry Sloane, familiar to many from "Revenge" and the first-person shooter franchise "Call of Duty," will embody The Prodigal, also known as Destruction. These new cast members join returning stars Tom Sturridge as Dream, Kirby as Death, Mason Alexander Park as Desire, and Donna Preston as Despair. Other familiar faces returning for Season 2 include Patton Oswalt as Matthew the Raven, Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Morningstar, Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine, and many more. Barry Sloane's casting is particularly notable for fans of "Call of Duty," where he voices the beloved character Captain Price. His transition from video games to a major role in "The Sandman" highlights the diverse talent of the cast. While Season 2 does not yet have a release date, Netflix's recent announcements and teasers suggest that fans might not have to wait too long for the new season. With the cast complete, the anticipation for the next chapter in "The Sandman" saga is higher than ever.

Step into the unsettling world of Oscar Wilde's Salomé as Lucy Eaton sits down with acclaimed author and visionary storyteller, Neil Gaiman (write of The Sandman, Good Omens and Coraline). Gaiman shares his insights and reflections on this iconic piece of literature, as he dissects the influence of Wilde's lesser known work. He offers a unique perspective on the enduring significance of this raw and impactful piece by delving into the play's history and his own personal relationship with it, reading it for the first time age 13. As well as discussing the play, Neil breaks down the joys of seeing his own stories adapted into stage and screen and why theatre has a special place in his heart.Hear Me Out is hosted by Lucy Eaton, a theatre producer and West End / screen actress best known for her role as Lucy in hit BBC comedy ‘Staged'. Other episodes of Hear Me Out include Adrian Lester, Mark Gatiss, Patsy Ferran and Toby Stephens.Follow us on TikTok, Instagram and X at @PodHearMeOut.** Join the family by subscribing on iTunes or becoming a Hear Me Out Patreon! www.patreon.com/podhearmeout **Podcast of the Week - GuardianTop 10 theatre podcasts - Feedspot"An ode to the brilliance of language peppered with personal anecdotes" - Vanity FairA Lucy Eaton Productions podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enfin, une œuvre originale, de la plume de Sally Wainwright. La créatrice de Happy Valley et Gentleman Jack propose son nouveau projet, Nell rebelle, dans un XVIIIe siècle anglais avec une touche magique. Elle change encore une fois de registre après un thriller et un drame qui casse le quatrième mur, la voici de retour dans une série familial d'action dans un univers de fantasy. L'histoire se déroule dans l'Angleterre du 18e siècle et suit les aventures de Nell Jackson, une jeune femme rebelle et intrépide qui se retrouve injustement accusée de meurtre. Après avoir été victime d'un coup monté, Nell se retrouve sur la liste des criminels recherchés et est contrainte de fuir pour sauver sa vie. La série est disponible sur Disney+. https://youtu.be/wrsdyDF62Ls?si=gGG72_5j8--h09lQ On reconnaîtra Louisa Harland, la Orla de Derry Girls dans un tout autre registre. Là où elle jouait les maladroites, ici elle est pleine d'assurance. Accompagnée de ses deux sœurs, Roxy et George, Nell se lance dans une quête pour rétablir sa réputation et prouver son innocence. En chemin, elle rencontre un mystérieux lutin nommé Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed bien loin des terrains de Ted Lasso), qui lui accorde des pouvoirs surnaturels, notamment une force surhumaine et une invincibilité temporaire. Avec l'aide de Billy et de ses sœurs, Nell devient une redoutable voleuse de grand chemin avec sa tête mise à prix, menant des actes de pillage et de banditisme pour survivre et se venger de ceux qui l'ont accusée à tort. Poursuivie notamment par les vrais coupables du meurtre, son grand ennemi s'avère être un sorcier sous les traits d'un noble (Adrian Lester). Au fur et à mesure que l'histoire progresse, Nell se retrouve impliquée dans des intrigues politiques et familiales impliquant des nobles locaux corrompus, des complots qui visent à gagner du pouvoir… et pour ça, elle se déguise régulièrement pour échapper à ses poursuivants. Elle assume différentes identités, notamment celles d'une dame de la haute société, d'une comtesse écossaise et même d'une chirurgienne de prison, ce qui ajoute une touche d'humour supplémentaire. Les sœurs de Nell ne sont pas en reste et chacun apporte son petit trait de caractère. L'action est désarçonnante au départ, de voir cette femme habillée en bande du XVIIIe avec des « super-pouvoirs » surprend, mais si on est las des super-héros de comics, on pourrait bien donner une chance à Nell. Mélangée avec l'action et la magie, cette première saison fait découvrir un nouvel univers bien riche avec des personnages attachants. La série n'a pas peur non plus de tomber dans l'absurde, puisque le lutin n'est visible que de Nell et peut user de la magie lui aussi. [bs_show url="the-ballad-of-renegade-nell"] En fin de compte, Nell rebelle est une histoire d'aventure, de courage et de détermination, mettant en vedette une héroïne forte et déterminée qui refuse de se laisser abattre par l'adversité. C'est une série pleine d'action, d'humour et de rebondissements inattendus, qui promet de captiver les spectateurs de tous âges, surtout en famille. Et tout ça, sur Disney+.

These are our interviews with the cast of Renegade Nell. We had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Joely Richardson, Ényì Okoronkwo and Frank Dillane, as well as Adrian Lester, Alice Kremelberg and Jake Dunn. We discuss what makes this show and these characters so special, the dark magic in the world of Renegade Nell, what it was like to shoot on location, and they even give us some 18th century style tips.Renegade Nell is streaming now on Disney+. Check out Geekcentric onYouTube | Instagram | Twitter | TikTokJoin the Geekcentric Discord HEREJoin Nate on Twitch at - twitch.tv/nateplaysgames

Step into the spotlight with illustrious actor Mark Gatiss, know best for his iconic roles in television series like 'Sherlock' and his captivating performances on stage. In this episode, Gatiss breaks down the layers of his favourite speech: a Hamlet monologue but as used in Jack Thorne's recent hit, 'The Motive and the Cue', in which Gatiss has wowed critics in his portrayal of John Gielgud. Join Lucy and Mark as they delve into the intricacies of Thorne's adaptation, exploring not only significance of Hamlet's advice to the players but also Gatiss' personal insights and experiences as a performer, writer and director. From portraying real-life figures to navigating the idiosyncrasies of different audiences, Gatiss' anecdotes offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of a true theatrical virtuoso.Catch Mark in 'The Motive and the Cue' at the Noël Coward Theatre, playing until 23 March 2024. And audiences worldwide can also enjoy the National Theatre Live capture of the original production in cinemas from 21 March. Tickets are available from NTLive.com.Hear Me Out is hosted by Lucy Eaton, a theatre producer and West End / screen actress best known for her role as Lucy in hit BBC comedy ‘Staged'. Other episodes of Hear Me Out include Adrian Lester, Brendan Coyle, Patsy Ferran and Corey Mylchreest.Follow us on TikTok, Instagram and X at @PodHearMeOut.** Join the family by subscribing on iTunes or becoming a Hear Me Out Patreon! www.patreon.com/podhearmeout **Now in the Top 10 theatre podcasts on Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/theatre_pod...A Lucy Eaton Productions podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stranger Things' Shawn Levy on collaborating with Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight on Netflix's All the Light We Cannot See; award winning actor Adrian Lester on the Birmingham Film AND TV market and his fears about AI; and Fiction Factory's Ed Thomas and S4C's Gwen Gravelle on new Welsh-language dark comedy drama Pren ar y Bryn/Tree on a Hill.

  Philadelphia, Jessica & Gage listen to three versions of 'to be or not be' by Benedict Cumberbatch, Adrian Lester and Andrew Scott, and also their use of our word of the week in that most famous of speeches.  Let us know which one you enjoy most!

We could listen to Adrian Lester talk about acting all day… but he's a busy man, so we'll settle for this 37 minute episode. The actor joins us to discuss some of his most famous performances, including Rosalind in Cheek by Jowl's acclaimed 1991 all-male As You Like It, Hamlet with Peter Brook, and Henry V and Othello with Nicholas Hytner. Plus, Lester takes us back to his childhood in Birmingham and tells us about his patronage of the Everything to Everybody project and the Birmingham Shakespeare Library. Lester is interviewed by Barbara Bogaev. Visit our website, folger.edu/unlimited, to learn more about Everything to Everybody and see video of Lester's performance in "As You Like It." From our Shakespeare Unlimited podcast. Published July 4, 2023. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This episode was produced by Matt Frassica. Garland Scott is the associate producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster. Ben Lauer is the web producer. Leonor Fernandez edits our transcripts. We had technical help from Voice Trax West in Studio City, California. Final mixing services provided by Clean Cuts at Three Seas, Inc.

Robert Webb first reached a wide audience as the co-star of Channel 4's longest running sitcom, the BAFTA-award winning Peep Show. With his long-standing comedy partner David Mitchell, he also created That Mitchell and Webb Sound for BBC Radio 4, which transferred to TV as That Mitchell and Webb Look, which also won a BAFTA. Robert was born in Lincolnshire and first became hooked on comedy when his impressions of teachers made his school friends laugh. After realising that many of his comedy heroes had studied at Cambridge University, and were members of the Cambridge Footlights, he decided to follow in their footsteps. He took his A levels twice in order to win a place to study English there, and went on to become vice-president of the Footlights - where he met David Mitchell. Their comedy partnership has lasted for 30 years, starting out with shows for the Edinburgh fringe and writing for other performers, before enjoying TV success as a double act. Robert has also written a best-selling memoir, How Not to be a Boy, in which he reflects on masculinity, and a novel. In 2019, a routine medical examination revealed that he had a congenital heart defect. He underwent heart surgery and is now fully recovered. Robert lives in London with his wife and two daughters. DISC ONE: Do I Move You? - Nina Simone DISC TWO: The Old Fashioned Way - Charles Aznavour DISC THREE: Fool if you Think It's Over - Elkie Brooks DISC FOUR: Get A Life - Soul II Soul DISC FIVE: Metal Mickey - Suede DISC SIX: Being Alive, composed by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Adrian Lester and cast of Company and recorded in 1996 at Donmar Warehouse, London DISC SEVEN: How to Disappear Completely - Radiohead DISC EIGHT: It's Corn - Tariq, The Gregory Brothers & Recess Therapy BOOK CHOICE: Cultural Amnesia by Clive James LUXURY ITEM: A top hat and tails CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: The Old Fashioned Way - Charles Aznavour Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor

Hamlet is the Shakespearean character that many actors long to play. Jade Anouka is one of those actors. She talks to past Hamlets– Sir Derek Jacobi, Adrian Lester, Samuel West and Tessa Parr – about the challenges in approaching the part. And she hears the fabled story of The Red Book, a red-bound copy of the play, begun by the actor Sir Johnston Forbes-Robinson, who passed the book on to a successive actor on the condition that in turn they passed it onto the finest Hamlet of the next generation. Derek Jacobi tells the story of receiving it from Peter O'Toole and passing it on to Kenneth Branagh, who in turn passed it on to Tom Hiddleston. Jade wonders where the book might go next. Jade also explores why Hamlet as a part holds such fascination for actors. Here's the rub - no one can tell you what Hamlet is about. A revenge tragedy, an Oedipal drama, a political betrayal, a study of insanity, the portrait of a fatally flawed genius. Each actor makes it his own but has to deal with the weight of its history. Derek Jacobi tells the story of performing ‘To be or not to be' only to hear the voice of Sir Winston Churchill joining in from the front row. Adrian Lester describes how he whispered each famous speech to himself in an attempt to get back to the essence of the language. And each generation interprets Hamlet as an expression of their own time. Professor Michael Dobson from the Shakespeare Institute describes a production he saw in Ukraine in a cellar now used as a bomb shelter. Readers: Sir Derek Jacobi, Adrian Lester, Samuel West, Tessa Parr Producer: Sara Conkey A True Thought production for BBC Radio 4 Acknowledgements: Hamlet BBC2 26th December 2009 Director - Gregory Doran Royal Shakespeare Company Production Hamlet – David Tennant Composer: Paul Englishby Hamlet film 1948 Director – Laurence Olivier Screenplay – Laurence Olivier Hamlet – Laurence Olivier Composer: William Walton Two Cities Production Hamlet BBC Radio 4 Production 2014 Director – Marc Beeby Hamlet – Jamie Parker Ophelia – Lizzy Watts President Zelensky address to Parliament BBC Parliament Tuesday 8th March 2022

The award-winning actor, Adrian Lester, speaks to Paul about his Shakespearian roles – Rosalind, Henry V, Hamlet, and Othello – working with the late, great director Peter Brook, his portrayal of the pioneering nineteenth-century actor Ira Aldridge, and about why Shakespeare matters.Support the show

This week, New York Times columnist and Slate graduate Jamelle Bouie fills in for Julia as the panel begins by answering the call of The Black Phone. Then, the panel digs into FX's newest hit TV show The Bear. Finally, they discuss the perplexing and popular world of gross food trends on TikTok. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses culture's relationship to politics and affecting an audience. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: Peter Brook the legendary theater director passed away last week, in memoriam of him: going on a Peter Brook deep dive. Specifically: a 2001 documentary titled Brook by Brook: An Intimate Portrait directed by his son, Simon Brook, and a YouTube video of a complete production of Hamlet Brook directed starring Adrian Lester as the titular prince. Jamelle: The Criterion Channel's new collection, titled In the Ring: Boxing On-Screen, comprising 16 boxing-related films. Specifically: the 1942 film Gentleman Jim directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn. Steve: An involving read from Yale historian Timothy Snyder, titled “Germans have been involved in the war, chiefly on the wrong side:” a long, extensive, beautifully calm, excellently argued rejoinder to Jürgen Habermas, the German Philosopher widely regarded as the only remaining living embodiment of European Enlightenment. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe. Outro music is "Pike Place Market" by Rockin' for Decades. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, New York Times columnist and Slate graduate Jamelle Bouie fills in for Julia as the panel begins by answering the call of The Black Phone. Then, the panel digs into FX's newest hit TV show The Bear. Finally, they discuss the perplexing and popular world of gross food trends on TikTok. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses culture's relationship to politics and affecting an audience. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: Peter Brook the legendary theater director passed away last week, in memoriam of him: going on a Peter Brook deep dive. Specifically: a 2001 documentary titled Brook by Brook: An Intimate Portrait directed by his son, Simon Brook, and a YouTube video of a complete production of Hamlet Brook directed starring Adrian Lester as the titular prince. Jamelle: The Criterion Channel's new collection, titled In the Ring: Boxing On-Screen, comprising 16 boxing-related films. Specifically: the 1942 film Gentleman Jim directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn. Steve: An involving read from Yale historian Timothy Snyder, titled “Germans have been involved in the war, chiefly on the wrong side:” a long, extensive, beautifully calm, excellently argued rejoinder to Jürgen Habermas, the German Philosopher widely regarded as the only remaining living embodiment of European Enlightenment. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe. Outro music is "Pike Place Market" by Rockin' for Decades. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary director Peter Brook died last week at the age of 97. Brook was one of theater's most influential directors. His 1970 A Midsummer Night's Dream is among that play's most lauded and best-known productions. His 1968 book The Empty Space is a classic of theater writing. Over the course of his career, he directed actors including John Gielgud, Glenda Jackson, Ben Kingsley, Adrian Lester, Vivienne Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Paul Scofield, Patrick Stewart, and Frances de la Tour, and won multiple Tony and Emmy Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, the Praemium Imperiale, and the Prix Italia. When we spoke to Brook in 2019, his new play, Why?, co-written and co-directed by longtime collaborator Marie-Hélène Estienne, was about to kick off a tour of China, Italy, and Spain, and his newest book, Playing by Ear: Reflections on Sound and Music, had just been released. Brook spoke with Barbara Bogaev about his remarkable career, his illustrious collaborators, and the process of making theater. From the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast series. This podcast episode, “My Age Is as a Lusty Winter,” was originally published December 10, 2019, and was rebroadcast July 5, 2022. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. It was produced under the supervision of Garland Scott and is presented with permission of rlpaulproductions, LLC, which created it for the Folger. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster. Ben Lauer is the web producer. With technical helped from Andrew Feliciano at Voice Trax West in Studio City, California, and Alan Leer at The Sound Company Studios in London.

Graham brings you another round of great guests as Adrian Lester, Indira Varma and Jennifer Saunders join the show.More problem-solving in Graham's Guide with Maria McErlane.Plus Graham has lent out Show Chef Martha who is bringing on the barbecue in the home of the winner of the Waitrose BBQ Top Tips Competition. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The stage version of The Life of Pi is currently pulling in the crowds and snaffling all the Olivier nominations, so Hannah got on the Zoom with the woman responsible for adapting the book: Lolita Chakrabarti. They talk about the highs and lows of tackling such a well-loved novel and its themes of storytelling and faith, as well as chatting about some of Lolita's other recent projects, including A Working Diary, the book she wrote with her husband, fellow actor Adrian Lester.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/standardissuespodcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's a new year & there's a new crime thriller on the horizon! Brendan, Hannah and Rebecca are back to cover ITV's Trigger Point. The Jed Mercurio-produced drama sees bomb disposal specialists Vicky McClure & Adrian Lester team up to save London in the wake of a terrorist campaign, right up our street! The show kicks off this Sunday, 23rd January at 9pm on ITV. Shrine Podcasts will have new episodes out every Wednesday morning at 6am. Support us on patreon.com/shrinepod for early access! Alternatively, keep us in muffins here: http://supporter.acast.com/shrineofduty.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/shrineofduty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Actor Adrian Lester joins Samira to discuss his varied career on stage, in film and now back on UK television in the gripping new ITV police drama, Trigger Point. Scottish musicians Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl AKA Heal and Harrow perform live ahead of Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival. Their music is a response to the 16th and 17th century Scottish Witch Trials and the women falsely accused. What do two Northern literary prizes reveal about writing from the North of England? Samira is joined by journalist Gary Younge, chair of judges for the Portico Prize, awarded to a book that evokes the spirit of the North of England, and Alison Hindell, chair of the Alfred Bradley Bursary Award, which is for radio drama writers from North. Paul Jones is the winner of the Alfred Bradley Bursary Award 2021. He discusses his radio play, Patterdale and what the term “Northern Writer” means to him. Patterdale will be broadcast on Radio 4 on 14 February. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Tim Prosser Photo: Adrian Lester Credit: BBC

Highlights from 'Hustle' actor Adrian Lester's episode of Hear Me Out. Viewable as a video on Spotify or youtube. Olivier-award winner Adrian Lester enlightens Lucy Eaton on the opening speech from 'Cost of Living' by Polish-American playwright Martyna Majok: He shares the journey behind taking on the role, why it was a more nerve-wracking monologue to deliver than Peter Brook's 'Hamlet' and just why fake nails were so helpful when he played Rosalind for Cheek By Jowl. Full podcast audio can be found on the same platform you're watching this on, or find us on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/90-5xWp8tLg

durée : 00:28:45 - Personnages en personne - par : Charles Dantzig - L'homme Michel Journiac se photographie en femme au foyer. Sarah Bernhardt joue l'Aiglon et l'acteur noir Adrian Lester, Hamlet. Posant en robe du soir, Iggy Pop raille l'idée du glamour. Marcel Duchamp pose en Rrose Sélavy, personnage fictif. Comment les artistes brouillent-ils avec les identités?

durée : 00:28:45 - Personnages en personne - par : Charles Dantzig - L'homme Michel Journiac se photographie en femme au foyer. Sarah Bernhardt joue l'Aiglon et l'acteur noir Adrian Lester, Hamlet. Posant en robe du soir, Iggy Pop raille l'idée du glamour. Marcel Duchamp pose en Rrose Sélavy, personnage fictif. Comment les artistes brouillent-ils avec les identités? - réalisation : Clotilde Pivin

David talks to Adrian Lester (Hamlet, Othello, Henry V, Company and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and BBC's Hustle) about his critically acclaimed portrayal of Rosalind in Cheek by Jowl's all-male 1991 production of As You Like It. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part of the Humanities Cultural Programme, one of the founding stones for the future, Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities on Thursday 13th May 2021. Join us for a fascinating evening with award-winning playwright and actress Lolita Chakrabarti in conversation with journalist Matt Wolf. Streamed live from an Oxford venue and chaired by Dr Sos Eltis, the event will cover Lolita’s wide-ranging career and hone in on her most recent play, Hymn, at the Almeida Theatre. Lolita Chakrabarti is an award-winning playwright and actress. Writing credits include the award-winning stage adaptation of Life of Pi, which will open in the West End in 2021, the ambitious Invisible Cities (MIF), Hymn (Almeida) and Red Velvet, which opened at the Tricycle Theatre before transferring to London’s West End and New York. Acting credits include playing Queen Gertrude, opposite Tom Hiddleston, in Sir Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet (RADA), Fanny & Alexandra (Old Vic) and Free Outgoing (Royal Court). A Casual Vacancy (BBC1/HBO), To Provide All People (BBC2), Beowulf (ITV), Jekyll and Hyde (ITV), Riviera (Sky), Criminal (Netflix) and Defending The Guilty (BBC). Matt Wolf is an American theatre critic based in London, where he has spent his entire professional life. He moved to the UK directly upon graduating from Yale, where he read English and was co-arts editor of the Yale Daily News (a good place to begin). Soon upon arrival in London, he found work in a self-created job as arts and theatre writer for the Associated Press (AP), where he remained for 21 years.  Along the way, following brief stints at the Wall Street Journal/Europe and The Hollywood Reporter, Matt became London theatre critic for Variety from 1992-2005, during which time he was freelancing regularly for The International Herald Tribune – now the International New York Times. Following the departure from his long-held post of the august Sheridan Morley, Matt became London theatre critic for the IHT/INYT, and in 2009 was thrilled to help birth The Arts Desk – an arts-centred website that within a few years of its inception was named best specialism journalism website at the Online Media Awards in London. He remains theatre editor at that site and reviews there across the cultural spectrum. In addition to his journalism, Matt has collaborated on two books – one about Guys and Dolls, the other about Les Miserables – and is the author of Sam Mendes at the Donmar: Stepping into Freedom, an account of the theatre and film director Sam Mendes’s extraordinary tenure at one of London’s premier theatrical addresses. Matt sits on the panel of the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and is on the faculty of both NYU/London and the V&A Museum; he can be heard regularly on various radio programmes for both the BBC and Monocle.  Following an acclaimed, sold-out live-streamed and on-demand runs, Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn will be broadcast on Sky Arts on Sunday 18 April at 9pm. The world premiere of this production was directed by Blanche McIntyre and features actors Adrian Lester and Danny Sapani. Sky Arts is free to watch on Freeview Channel 11. Sky and NOW subscribers can also watch Hymn on-demand after the broadcast. Lolita Chakrabarti is a HCP Visiting Fellow part of the Humanities Cultural Programme.

Part of the Humanities Cultural Programme, one of the founding stones for the future, Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities on Thursday 13th May 2021. Join us for a fascinating evening with award-winning playwright and actress Lolita Chakrabarti in conversation with journalist Matt Wolf. Streamed live from an Oxford venue and chaired by Dr Sos Eltis, the event will cover Lolita’s wide-ranging career and hone in on her most recent play, Hymn, at the Almeida Theatre. Lolita Chakrabarti is an award-winning playwright and actress. Writing credits include the award-winning stage adaptation of Life of Pi, which will open in the West End in 2021, the ambitious Invisible Cities (MIF), Hymn (Almeida) and Red Velvet, which opened at the Tricycle Theatre before transferring to London’s West End and New York. Acting credits include playing Queen Gertrude, opposite Tom Hiddleston, in Sir Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet (RADA), Fanny & Alexandra (Old Vic) and Free Outgoing (Royal Court). A Casual Vacancy (BBC1/HBO), To Provide All People (BBC2), Beowulf (ITV), Jekyll and Hyde (ITV), Riviera (Sky), Criminal (Netflix) and Defending The Guilty (BBC). Matt Wolf is an American theatre critic based in London, where he has spent his entire professional life. He moved to the UK directly upon graduating from Yale, where he read English and was co-arts editor of the Yale Daily News (a good place to begin). Soon upon arrival in London, he found work in a self-created job as arts and theatre writer for the Associated Press (AP), where he remained for 21 years.  Along the way, following brief stints at the Wall Street Journal/Europe and The Hollywood Reporter, Matt became London theatre critic for Variety from 1992-2005, during which time he was freelancing regularly for The International Herald Tribune – now the International New York Times. Following the departure from his long-held post of the august Sheridan Morley, Matt became London theatre critic for the IHT/INYT, and in 2009 was thrilled to help birth The Arts Desk – an arts-centred website that within a few years of its inception was named best specialism journalism website at the Online Media Awards in London. He remains theatre editor at that site and reviews there across the cultural spectrum. In addition to his journalism, Matt has collaborated on two books – one about Guys and Dolls, the other about Les Miserables – and is the author of Sam Mendes at the Donmar: Stepping into Freedom, an account of the theatre and film director Sam Mendes’s extraordinary tenure at one of London’s premier theatrical addresses. Matt sits on the panel of the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and is on the faculty of both NYU/London and the V&A Museum; he can be heard regularly on various radio programmes for both the BBC and Monocle.  Following an acclaimed, sold-out live-streamed and on-demand runs, Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn will be broadcast on Sky Arts on Sunday 18 April at 9pm. The world premiere of this production was directed by Blanche McIntyre and features actors Adrian Lester and Danny Sapani. Sky Arts is free to watch on Freeview Channel 11. Sky and NOW subscribers can also watch Hymn on-demand after the broadcast. Lolita Chakrabarti is a HCP Visiting Fellow part of the Humanities Cultural Programme.

Josie Rourke is a director, artistic director and business woman who has blazed a trial through the mostly male dominated industries of film and theatre.  Josie who originates from Salford near Manchester grew up in, what she describes as a lower middle class household but was always praised for the creativity she displayed as a child. After graduating from Cambridge University, Josie worked with Academy award winner, Sam Mendes as his assistant director before becoming the first female artistic director of the Donmar Theatre, London. Over the next 7 years, she would work with the likes of Helen Mirren and Daniel Ratcliffe as well as winning a Lawrence Olivier award.  Josie has gone on to direct a multi million dollar feature film 'Mary, Queen of Scots' starring Margot Robbie, Saorise Ronan and Adrian Lester. Follow us on Apple podcasts and Spotify to ensure you don't miss an episode of 'The Psychology of Success'!

Week 3 of, “Now Streaming on Netflix” month brings us to 2009’s, “Case 39” and well, it’s not good. Basically this movie is boring as sh*t and is way too long. Join us as we sing an out of tune and out of sync rendition of the Kim Possible theme song, discuss the ol’ hansel and gretel method, and how much demon kids love brushing hair and holding hands. Be sure to rate and subscribe otherwise you’ll be taking on your very own case 39. Stats/info: 2009, directed by Christian Alvart, starring Renee Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Bradley Cooper, Ian McShane, Callum Keith Rennie, Kerry O’Malley, and Adrian Lester

Producer Katy Lipson (Aria Entertainment) co-hosts The West End Frame Show! We're also joined by actor & producer Lucy Eaton to discuss her new podcast Hear Me Out. Andrew & Katy discuss Brooklyn (stream.theare) as well as the latest news about Pretty Woman, The Lion King, & Juliet, Samantha Barks and more. Katy also discusses her upcoming productions of Cruise and A Killer Party. Katy founded Aria Entertainment in 2012. In 2017, Katy was awarded the Best Producer award by the Off-West End Awards and is a recipient of the Stage One Bursary and Start Up Award. She made “The Stage 100” in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for her work at Hope Mill Theatre and in 2021 for her work as a solo producer. Just a few of her many productions include the UK premiere of The Addams Family, the 50th anniversary production of Hair, Pippin at the Southwark Playhouse, Rags, The Return of the Soilder, Aspects of Love, The Last Five Years, Vanities, The Toxic Avenger and Mame. The filmed production of Cruise is available on stream.theatre 15th - 25th April. The play will then run in the West End at the Duchess Theatre 18th May - 13th June.   Visit www.cruisetheplay.co.uk for info and tickets. A Killer Party is being streamed 26th April - 23rd May on stream.theare.   You can follow Katy on Twitter @AriaEnts and Instagram @KatyAriaEnts Lucy Eaton most recently starred alongside Michael Sheen & David Tenant in Staged (BBC / Huli) written by her brother Simon Evans. Her theatre credits include: The Duchess of Malfi (Old Vic), A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios), The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse) and Khadija is 18 (Finborough Theatre).  Lucy is the host of new podcast Hear Me Out. Each week, she asks a different guest about their favourite speech which leads to wonderfully insightful conversations. Guests include Mark Bonnar, Denise Gough, Adrian Lester and Claire Skinner. Hear Me Out is available wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins Thanks for listening! Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures. 

Hear Me Out is a new theatre podcast produced and presented by Lucy Eaton, the both real and on-screen sister of Simon Evans, creator of BBC lockdown comedy Staged starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen. Hear Me Out features interviews with leading theatre actors in which they discuss and then perform a speech from a play in which they have appeared which holds particularly strong memories for them. The first four episodes are now available, featuring Claire Skinner on Harold Pinter’s Moonlight, Adrian Lester on Cost of Living by Martyna Majok, Denise Gough on People, Places and Things by Duncan Macmillan and Mark Bonnar on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In this episode, BTG Editor David Chadderton speaks to Lucy about these first few episodes, as well as about how Staged was basically an extension of games she played with her brother when they were kids, what lockdown has been like for her and other actors she knows, performing outside the house of one of the UK’s leading theatre critics and more. Hear Me Out can be found now on all the usual podcast platforms. For more details, see the Hear Me Out web site or follow @PodHearMeOut on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Olivier-award winner Adrian Lester enlightens us on the opening speech from 'Cost of Living' by Polish-American playwright Martyna Majok: He shares the journey behind taking on the role, why it was a more nerve-wracking monologue to deliver than Peter Brook's 'Hamlet' and just why fake nails were so helpful when he played Rosalind for Cheek By Jowl. Hosted by Lucy Eaton, star of lockdown smash-comedy Staged (BBC/Netflix/Staged), West End actress and theatre producer. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @PodHearMeOut, and watch visual clips from the show on our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3l7vRht New episodes coming weekly, with guests such as Patricia Hodge OBE, Hamilton's Giles Terera and Eastenders star Maddy Hill. A Lucy Eaton Productions podcast.

Over the course of his career, Danny Sapani has appeared in many fan favourites, from Black Panther to Killing Eve. Sapani can also be currently seen on https://www.ntathome.com (National Theatre at Home) taking leading roles in the National Theatre productions of Medea and Les Blancs. Most recently, Sapani appeared opposite Adrian Lester in the world premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's new play Hymn at the https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/hymn-live-recording/1-mar-2021-7-mar-2021 (Almeida Theatre), which explores the evolving relationship between two men who find out that they have the same father. While theatres remain closed, Sapani and Lester's performance was live-streamed to audiences watching from home and will be available to watch on-demand between Wednesday 3rd - Tuesday 9th March. We spoke to Danny to find out more about what it was like performing a play to an empty auditorium … Follow https://twitter.com/DannySapani (@DannySapani)

This week on the podcast, Vox culture writer extraordinaire Emily VanDerWerff hops on the campaign trail for an interesting, auteur-driven double feature mired deeply in the politics and aesthetics of the late ‘90s! First up is Primary Colors, a Mike Nichols-directed, Elaine May-scripted adaptation of the Joe Klein-penned roman a clef about the Clinton Years. Travolta does his best Alabama drawl as Senator “Jack” Stanton”, a Bill-esque figure whose political idealism is marred by the many personal failings his campaign team (an all-star ensemble including Adrian Lester, Billy Bob Thornton, and an Oscar-nominated Kathy Bates) have to clean up. Then, we dive into the next-level lurid sleaze of Snake Eyes, Brian De Palma’s stylized thriller about a murdered cabinet member, a prize fight in an Atlantic City casino, and a full-bore Nic Cage hamming it up as an amoral detective caught in the middle of it all. It’s next-level dumb, but boy is it fun. Which wins out — a well-made, albeit naive, referendum on the disappointments of the Clinton era, or a slick, stupid thriller with Cage as his shoutiest? Take a listen and find out!

As the nation waits for the vaccine and lockdown restrictions to ease, what can literature teach us about the art of waiting? Writer Rebecca Stott, critic Alex Clark and poet Anthony Anaxagorou discuss the art of waiting, whether cheerfully or 'with a green and yellow melancholy… like Patience on a monument' as Viola says in Twelfth Night. Lolita Chakrabarti’s play Hymn begins at a funeral where two men meet, and begin to form a remarkable bond. Lolita discusses her play that uses music and dance to chart the developing bond between these men. The play that begins streaming live from the Almeida Theatre this week. What do you remember of The Silence of the Lambs? It was released 30 years ago yesterday - on St Valentine's Day. The critic Michael Carlson looks back at this horror classic which uses elements of the rom-com genre, and argues we are wrong to think Lecter is the central figure. Clarice Starling, the FBI trainee, played by Jodie Foster, is the focus, and the film plays out from her perspective. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Simon Richardson Main image above: Adrian Lester as Gil in Hymn Image credit: Marc Brenner

JAMILA'S BACK! The mighty Lolita Chakrabarti (WPC Jamila Blake) has recorded a two-part #TheBillPodcast interview, which hits Patreon later this month, followed by a wider release this Spring. But exciting news before then is that The Almeida has announced live streamed performances of Lolita's new play Hymn! In this clip from her upcoming Podcast, Lolita discusses the themes of the play, which is directed by Blanche McIntyre and features Adrian Lester in the role of Gil and Danny Sapani as Benny. The world premiere production which was originally due to play to socially distanced audiences will now be streamed live from the theatre for five performances from Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 February. You can support the theatre industry and enjoy some live performances again, all from the comfort and safety of your home, by visiting https://almeida.co.uk/membership

Welcome to Monday Morning Critic Podcast! Chuk Iwuji was born in Nigeria in 1975. When he was ten his parents began working for the United Nations Organization and moved to Ethiopia, sending their son to a boarding school in England. He got in to Yale University to major in Economics but was interested in acting and joined the university's drama society. Whilst he was appearing in their production of 'Murder in the Cathedral' he was offered an acting scholarship. He went to a drama school in Wisconsin then moved back to the United Kingdom, successfully auditioning for the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he has joined the ever-growing number of black actors, including David Oyelowo and Adrian Lester, who have played leading roles with no reference to their colour, replacing David Oyelowo in the role of Henry VI as well as playing Buckingham to Kevin Spacey's Richard III at the Old Vic. Welcome the awesome: Chukwudi Iwuji! Instagram: Monday Morning Critic Twitter: @mdmcritic Facebook: Monday Morning Critic Podcast Email: MondayMorningCritic@gmail.com Website: www.mmcpodcast.com

"If it's not painful, it ain't love!"This week, Declan and Nick talk about Shakespeare's As You Like It, paying special attention to their landmark 1991 production starring Adrian Lester as Rosalind. They also discuss the perils of believing in a 'fixed' self, reserving one's judgement, and the travails of young love.More information about Cheek by Jowl's production of As You Like It here: (https://www.cheekbyjowl.com/productions/as-you-like-it/)Series 2 theme music composed by Paddy Cunneen for The Winter's Tale (2016-17)The additional music used in this episode was composed by Paddy Cunneen for As You Like It (1991-95)

Anna Francolini, Adrian Lester, Michael Simkins, and Sophie Thompson join Joe to share more of their experiences of performing Company at the Donmar Warehouse and in the West End. This episode includes Adrian Lester's performance of Being Alive and the PBP Company Quiz!

Anna Francolini, Adrian Lester, Michael Simkins, and Sophie Thompson join Joe Bunker to discuss their experiences of performing the Stephen Sondheim / George Furth musical Company at the Donmar Warehouse and in the West End.

Clive Anderson and Nikki Bedi are joined by Adrian Lester, Mary-Ann Ochota, Alice Levine and Nina Sosanya for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Colorama and Loony.

Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's varied and rich correspondence. More than 1,770 of Beethoven's letters still survive and, this week, Donald Macleod delves into five different areas of this extensive correspondence. We’ll hear exchanges with some of his closest friends and patrons, a secret admission about his hearing and the details of a petty argument that gets blown out of all proportion. Beethoven’s flirting gets him into trouble; he falls deeply in love and suffers the misery of rejection on more than one occasion. Plus, the composer writes to his idol, Goethe and finds himself embroiled in some shady dealings with his publishers. The letters are read by Adrian Lester. Music Featured: arr. Matiegka: Serenade in D, Op 8 Overture to Leonore Violin Sonata No 3 in E flat major, Op 12 No 3 String Quartet No 1 in F major, Op 18 No 1 March for Military Music in F major, WoO 18 'York March' Piano Trio No 7 in B flat major, Op 97 'Archduke' Cello Sonata No 3 in A major, Op 69 Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major, Op 73 'Emperor' Piano Sonata in C sharp minor, Op 27 No 2 An die Hoffnung, Op 32 Piano Sonata No 23 in F minor, Op 57 (Appassionata) Bagatelle in A minor, WoO 59 An die Ferne Geliebte Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op 47 Septet in E flat major, Op 20 (excerpt) Cello Sonata in A major, Op 69 Gesang aus der Ferne, WoO 137 Adelaide Opferlied, Op 121b Coriolan Overture Kennst du das Land (Goethe) Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Johannah Smith for BBC Wales For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Beethoven Unleashed: In His Own Words https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000l6lf And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Islam Issa hears from actor Adrian Lester and Professor Ewan Fernie about a project that will revive the Birmingham Shakespeare Memorial Library. Founded with the help of George Dawson - a man who had a powerful vision of Birmingham as a progressive social and cultural centre in the mid 19th century - the library houses Britain's most important Shakespeare collection, comprising 43,000 volumes, including a copy of the First Folio 1623. Over three years, the Everything to Everybody project aims to share these cultural riches with the people of Birmingham in a wide range of imaginative ways. More information available here: https://everythingtoeverybody.bham.ac.uk/ This episode is one of a series of conversations - New Thinking - produced in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council, part of UK Research & Innovation. Further podcasts are available on the BBC Radio 3 Free Thinking website under the playlist New Research https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03zws90 Producer: Torquil MacLeod

Chances are you don't know anyone who would want to be conned, not even for fun. Okay, maybe for fun. But seriously! Beside being humiliated to have been conned, one would feel ashamed to have been taken for a ride. Most people would react angrily, a few would even kill the perpetrator(s) if found. We've seen professional con men such as the famous Adrian Lester aka Mickey Brick in Hustle along with his team. We've all enjoyed watching a good con being performed but that's where our love for con ends. Ironically, most Republican constituents do not just get conned by the Republican Leaders, they offer themselves to get conned over and over and over. Don't believe me? Every single Republican who supports Donald Trump knows he is a liar, a crook, a con man, a cheat. Need I say more? If you're interested in making stops between here and there, feel free to stop by The People Branch website where you will find many interesting goodies to choose from. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/fourthbranch/support

Huw's presenting the BBC's coverage of the General Election & Adrian's 'Got It Covered'.

In this episode, we spend 40 minutes with one of the world’s most influential directors. Peter Brook has directed John Gielgud, Glenda Jackson, Ben Kingsley, Adrian Lester, Laurence Olivier, Paul Scofield, and Patrick Stewart. His 1970 "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" is that among the play’s most lauded and best known productions. His 1968 book "The Empty Space," now an e-book from Nick Hern Books, is a classic of theater writing. Brook’s work is characterized by the search for new theatrical modes and artistic languages, and at 94, he continues searching. His newest work, "Why?", co-written and co-directed by longtime collaborator Marie-Hélène Estienne, opened in Paris in June, finished a run at Brooklyn’s Theatre for a New Audience in October, and will soon begin a tour of China, Italy, and Spain. A new book, "Playing by Ear: Reflections on Sound and Music," is also being published this year. Barbara Bogaev interviews the director about his remarkable career, his illustrious collaborators, and the big question: what makes good theater? From the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast series. Published December 10, 2019. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This podcast episode, “My Age is as a Lusty Winter,” was produced by Richard Paul. Garland Scott is the associate producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster. Ben Lauer is the web producer. With technical helped from Andrew Feliciano at Voice Trax West in Studio City, California, and Alan Leer at The Sound Company Studios in London.

Josie Rourke returns to the work of Cy Coleman, who wrote the music for City of Angels; with the Broadway classic Sweet Charity. With choreography from the world-renowned Wayne McGregor, Rourke reunites with Anne-Marie Duff as Charity, and Arthur Darvill makes his Donmar debut as Oscar, for her farewell production as Donmar Artistic Director. During Sweet Charity, multiple guest actors will play the role of Daddy Brubeck including Shaq Taylor, Adrian Lester, Le Gateau Chocolat, Beverley Knight and Clive Rowe. Ian McEwan’s subversive and entertaining new novel Machines Like Me poses fundamental questions: what makes us human? Our outward deeds or our inner lives? Could a machine understand the human heart? Machines Like Me occurs in an alternative 1980s London, where Britain has lost the Falklands war, Margaret Thatcher battles Tony Benn for power and Alan Turing achieves a breakthrough in artificial intelligence. The novel's narrator Charlie drifts through life making his money by playing the stock market when he becomes involved in a menage a trois with a difference - one of the three is one of the first synthetic humans. It is not long before this strange love triangle inhabiting an even stranger alternate reality have to confront some profound moral dilemmas. Smoke and Mirrors The Psychology of Magic at the Wellcome Collection in London explores how magicians have achieved astonishing feats of trickery by exploiting the gap between what we think we perceive and what we actually perceive. Recently scientists have begun to appreciate this ability as a powerful tool for the study of human psychology. This research has emerged from an extraordinary history that stretches back to the 19th century, where a fascination with the paranormal coincided with the birth of science as a profession and the flourishing of the entertainment industry. Italian writer/director Paolo Sorrentino’s new film Loro - which means "them" - focuses on the controversial life of the former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi around the time of the “bunga-bunga” parties and the earthquake in L’Aquila. Tom Sutcliffe is joined by Geoffrey Durham, Naima Khan and Stephanie Merritt. The producer is Hilary Dunn. Podcast Extra Selections: Naima recommends Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations Geoffrey recommends the Swedish fantasy film Border and movie Leave No Trace Stephanie recommends the following Kate Atkinson 'Jackson Brodie' novels: One Good Turn, Case Histories, Started Early Took My Dog, When Will There Be Good News, Big Sky Tom recommends the Jon Ronson podcast 'The Last Days of August'

In Can You Ever Forgive Me? Melissa McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, the best-selling biographer of celebrities such as Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. In the early 1990s - when she was in her early 50s - Lee found herself unable to get published because she had fallen out of step with the marketplace. Unable to pay the rent (or the vet bills for her beloved cat) she turned her art form to deception, aided by her loyal friend Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant). You Know You Want This is the debut collection of short stories from Kristen Roupenian whose short story, Cat Person, became a viral sensation after being published by the New Yorker in December 2017. It became their most read story ever, with more than 2.6 million hits and counting. Included in this collection alongside 11 new stories which are described as examining "the pull and push of revulsion and attraction between people." Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Martyna Majok’s Cost of Living receives its highly anticipated UK Premiere at Hampstead Theatre starring Adrian Lester and directed by Ed Hall. John, a wealthy, brilliant, and successful PhD student with cerebral palsy, hires Jess, a recent graduate who has fallen on hard times, as his new carer. Across town, truck driver Eddie attempts to support and re-engage with his estranged wife, Ani, following a terrible accident that has left her quadriplegic. As four very different lives collide and entwine, roles are unapologetically flipped, reversed and exposed - who is actually caring for whom? A Place That Exists Only in the Moonlight: Katie Paterson and JM Turner at the Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate is the largest UK exhibition of Scottish artist Katie Paterson to date - paired by the artist with a group of works by JMW Turner. Works by Paterson included in the exhibition are Vatnajökull (the sound of), Earth-Moon-Earth and a new work, Cosmic Spectrum, the result of working with scientists Paterson creates a spinning wheel which charts the colour of the universe through each era of its existence. And a look at two recent reality television releases; the BAFTA nominated BBC 3 series Eating With My Ex - in which former couples are reunited over dinner to pick over the bones of their failed relationships - and Channel 4's Flirty Dancing which aims to match singletons based on their love of dance. Each hopeful will learn half a routine, taught by Dancing on Ice judge and Diversity star Ashley Banjo, which they will perform as a couple when they meet for the first time. Podcast extra recommendations Simon: Paul Weller - True Meanings, Fiddler On the Roof at The Menier Chocolate Factory, David Bramwell- The Cult of Water Kate: Pamela by Samuel Richardson and Fleabag on BBC3 Alex: Tessa Hadley -Late In The Day Tom: Peep Show on All 4 and Karl Marlantes -Matterhorn

Adrian Lester, recorded at his home on October 2nd 2017. The Honest Actors' Podcast is sponsored by TodayTix.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/honestactors. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Imagine getting the chance to interview Jude Law, Maxine Peake, Adrian Lester, David Tennant, Simon Russell Beale, and Nicholas Hytner about Shakespeare’s Hamlet. What would you ask? Would you want to hear about backstage hijinks? About Hamlet’s motivations? About what they would change about their performances?   Biographer and theatre historian Jonathan Croall interviewed those Shakespeareans and more for his new book, Performing Hamlet: Actors in the Modern Age. In it, Croall looks at 43 of the highest-profile Hamlet productions in England over the last 50 years, exploring how Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness, Michael Redgrave, Jonathan Slinger, Richard Burton, and many others have portrayed one of Shakespeare’s most memorable and mercurial characters. Croall came into the studio recently to tell us what he’s learned. He is interviewed by Barbara Bogaev. From the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast series. Published December 11, 2018. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This podcast episode, “What A Piece Of Work,” was produced by Richard Paul. Garland Scott is the associate producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster and Esther Ferington. Ben Lauer is the web producer. We had technical help from Andrew Feliciano and Paul Luke at VoiceTrax West in Studio City, California and Gareth Wood at The Sound Company in London.

Clive Anderson and Sara Cox are joined by Jeff Goldblum, Graham Norton, Adrian Lester and Rosemary Shrager for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Producer: Paula McGinley

Mike Bartlett, the writer of Doctor Foster and Charles III, on his new three-part TV drama Trauma, in which Adrian Lester stars as a surgeon accused of negligence by a patient's father, played by John Simm. Last week a new prize was launched for thriller novels that do not include any violence against women. Since that announcement the Staunch Book Prize has been both lauded as much needed, and criticised for being censorial. We discuss the prize with its founder Bridget Lawless and crime-writer Val McDermid. Cornelia Parker was the official artist for the 2017 election. As her resulting work goes on display in the Palace of Westminster, she discusses her approach and the challenges she faced in maintaining impartiality.Presenter Samira Ahmed Producer Jerome Weatherald.

Journey's End opened as a play in 1928. Set in the trenches of the First World War, there's a new film version which will hold a different resonance for modern viewers as for those theatre-goers 90 years ago . The horrors of war never really change, how do artists successfully interpret it anew? The latest production at London's Bridge Theatre is of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. There have been a lot of recent productions -what do our reviewer think makes this one special? Julian Barnes new novel -The Only Story - is about an affair between a young man and an older woman in 1960's Home Counties suburbia; an affair whose effects are reflected upon over the years. An exhibition of works from the collection of Charles I which were sold off and dispersed by Oliver Cromwell have now been gathered together for the first time in centuries, at the Royal Academy in London A new ITV drama - Trauma - starring Adrian Lester and John Simm begins on ITV. A trauma surgeon must face the reality of a bereaved father Tom Sutcliffe's guests are Christopher Frayling, Bridget Minamore and Bidisha. The producer is Oliver Jones.

On this week's Geektown Radio podcast we have all the usual tv news and airdate information, and the return of Composer Mac Quayle, the man behind the music for the brilliant 'Mr Robot', and pretty much ever Ryan Murphy show currently out there!Mac won the Emmy for his score on Golden Globe-winning suspense-thriller 'Mr Robot' starring Christian Slater and Rami Malek, and also received 3 additional Emmy nominations - 2 for his outstanding Main Title and Score for Ryan Murphy’s hit series, 'Feud: Bette and Joan' starring Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon, and 1 for his Score on 'American Horror Story', starring Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett.His other work includes 'American Crime Story', both 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' and the upcoming 'Assassination of Gianni Versace', which is due to land on BBC Two in February. He also scores 'Scream Queens', starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Emma Roberts, Murphy's procedural drama '9-1-1', and will be scoring Murphy's new project 'Pose'.Also On This Week's Show:Matt returns to the co-hosting chair, as we chat about the tv shows and films we've been watching including 'Outlander', 'Black Lightning', 'Star Trek: Discovery' and 'The Good Place'.We take a look at all the latest tv & film news, including Sky One's new drama ‘Curfew’ starring Sean Bean & Adrian Lester, 'Legends Of Tomorrow' casting, and the ‘Charmed’ Reboot!We give you our recommendations for upcoming TV in the next 7 days. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

My Cousin Rachel is an atmospheric adaptation for the big screen of Daphne Du Maurier's novel starring Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin and directed by Notting Hill director Roger Michell. Like her most famous novel "Rebecca" the narrative revolves around a large private estate in Cornwall and a powerful woman whose life is an enigma. Arundhati Roy was the first Indian woman writer to win the Booker Prize, which she won in 1997 for her novel The God of Small Things, and which sold over 8 million copies world wide. A political activist and writer, it has taken her 20 years to publish her ambitious second novel, The Ministry of Untold Happiness. Raphael: The Drawings at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford includes 120 drawings by the celebrated Renaissance artist, including 50 from the Ashmolean's own collection which is the largest and most important in the world. The drawings are taken from across Raphael's brief but brilliant career, taking visitors from his early career in Umbria through his radically creative years in Florence to the period where he was at the height of his powers in Rome, working on major projects such as the Vatican frescoes. Common, a world premiere by DC Moore, and directed by Headlong's Artistic Director Jeremy Herrin opens at the National's Olivier Theatre. An epic new history play co-produced by the National Theatre and Headlong, it is set in the early days of the Industrial Revolution when the common land of England is under threat. Common stars Anne-Marie Duff. Set against an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Riviera in the South of France, Riviera is a new ten part television series from Sky, and stars Julia Stiles as Georgina Clios, the smart and resourceful second wife of a billionaire banker who dies in a yacht explosion. This catastrophe sets in motion a dramatic chain of events that exposes the darker side of the Riviera's glitz and glamour and the global art market. Conceived by Neil Jordan, who co-wrote the first episode with John Banville, the series also stars Adrian Lester.

Actor Adrian Lester, star of Sky drama Riviera; TV presenter and author of The Reassembler, James May; record breaking hula hooper and author of The Girl Guide, Marawa Ibrahim; plus cocktail gardener Lottie Muir from the Midnight Apothecary.

As councils across the UK struggle to meet the pressure on their budgets, art organisations have had to take their share of cuts. So how are they bringing their creative minds to the issue? The mac birmingham, an arts centre with close links to the local community, has had a 70% cut to its council funding. Its chief executive and artistic director, Deborah Kermode, is joined by actor and mac alumni Adrian Lester to discuss the issue.Actress and writer Frog Stone discusses her new comedy Bucket, in which she stars alongside Miriam Margolyes. Exploring the relationship between a free spirited mother and her reserved daughter from a proudly female viewpoint, Frog Stone explains why she wanted to explore the minutiae of female relationships. Kim Stanley Robinson's latest novel, New York 2140, imagines the city 40 years after it has been completely flooded, when every street is a canal, every skyscraper an island. The bestselling sci-fi author, whose works include the Mars trilogy, discusses with Samira his fascination with environmental issues and exploring alternative futures. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Jack Soper.

Adrian Lester, recorded at his home on October 2nd 2017. The Actors' Podcast is sponsored by TodayTix.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/honestactors. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Sarah's joined by the actor, Adrian Lester.

Samira Ahmed and judge Elif Shafak reveal the shortlist for this year's Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, plus reaction from Alex Clark.As part of our Shakespeare's People series, Adrian Lester chooses the character of Othello, consumed by jealousy.A new exhibition at Tate Britain looks at British Conceptual Art in the 1960s and 70s, including Michael Craig-Martin's seminal work An Oak Tree - a glass of water on a shelf. Andrea Rose reviews.The National Theatre's Another World: Losing our Children to Islamic State is a new verbatim play created by Gillian Slovo and Nicolas Kent that explores why young people join Isis.

Kirsty Lang talks to Adrian Lester who stars in Undercover, the new legal thriller on BBC1 written by former barrister Peter Moffat.As part of our Shakespeare's People series, leading scholar James Shapiro chooses one of the playwright's smallest roles, the First Servant in King Lear.Hannah McGill reviews Victoria, the acclaimed new German film shot in one long take. As Radio 4's Home Front hides Shakespeare quotes in its scripts, Kirsty talks to writer Sebastian Baczkiewicz and historian Sophie Duncan, who looks at how Shakespeare's 300th anniversary was marked during World War I.Plus Eric Berlin, winner of the National Poetry Competition.

Paapa Essiedu is the first black actor to play Hamlet for the RSC in a new production opening in Stratford directed by Simon Godwin. Booker short listed writer Deborah Levy explores the complex emotional dynamics of the mother / daughter relationship in her new novel Hot Milk. Court is Mumbai born Chaitanya Tamhane's feature film debut - an Indian courtroom drama film which explores the limitations of Indian legal system through the trial of an elderly folk singer at a Sessions Court in Mumbai. Paul Strand: Photography and Film for the 20th Century at the V&A in London shows how the pioneering American photographer defined the way in which fine art and documentary photography is understood and practised today in the first major retrospective of his work for 40 years. And barrister turned writer Peter Moffat's new political thriller Undercover on BBC One, stars Sophie Okonedo as Maya, who is about to be appointed as the first black Director of Public Prosecutions. Adrian Lester plays her husband Nick, an under cover police officer with a complex past. Tom Sutcliffe's guests are Arts Editor at the New Statesman, Kate Mossman, novelist Patrick Gale and writer Susan Jeffreys.

Architect Dame Zaha Hadid will receive the 2016 Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects this week. She's the first woman to be awarded the prestigious honour in her own right. She talks to John Wilson about her work.John Irving, author of hugely popular novels including The World According to Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany, discusses his latest book Avenue of Mysteries, an examination of miracles, damaged childhoods, the writer's life and the perils of the circus.Adrian Lester stars as Victorian actor Ira Aldridge in Red Velvet, the latest production from the Kenneth Branagh Company. In 1833 Aldridge became the first black actor to play Othello on the London stage when he was invited to take over from Edmund Kean. Playwright Gabriel Gbadamosi reviews.Pieter Bruegel the Elder is known for his highly-coloured, earthy and vivid depiction of rowdy peasants in 16th-century Netherlands. But he also painted religious works. For the first time his only three surviving grisaille paintings will be shown together at the Courtauld Gallery in London. Curator Karen Serres explains their significance.Presenter: John Wilson Producer: Angie Nehring.

A year and a half after his headline-grabbing lecture held the TV industry to account for their record on diversity, Lenny Henry returned to BAFTA, along with an industry panel with representatives from major broadcasters, the production sector and stakeholders, to debate and discuss what progress has been made and whether this is enough to ensure growth and sustainability for diverse talent in the TV industry. Panel and contributors including: Sir Lenny Henry, Anne Mensah (Head of Drama, Sky), Ade Rawcliffe (Creative Diversity Manager, Channel 4), Charlotte Moore (Controller BBC One), Menhaj Huda, (Director, Coronation Street, Queer as Folk, Kidulthood), Steve November (ITV Director of Drama), chair Helen Veale (Creative Director, Outline Productions) and actor Adrian Lester.

Blues legend Dr John talks to John Wilson about his tribute album to fellow New Orleans musician Louis Armstrong, and how the project was the result of a visit from Armstrong in a dream. The American composer John Adams talks about the world stage premiere of his opera The Gospel According to the Other Mary at English National Opera, which tells the Passion story from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. Following the news of the death of director Mike Nichols, best known for his film The Graduate, actor Adrian Lester, playwright David Hare and writer Patrick Marber pay tribute to the man who won a Grammy, an Oscar, four Emmys and eight Tonys for his film and stage work.

This short film offers reflections on the impact of performances of 'Othello' by Ira Aldridge, Paul Robeson and Willard White. Professors Carol Chillington Rutter and Tony Howard offer commentary, alongside Adrian Lester who discusses playing Ira Aldridge in 'Red Velvet'.

With Mark Lawson. The Hunger Games : Catching Fire is the second adaptation of Suzanne Collins' runaway bestselling trilogy of novels. Jennifer Lawrence is Katniss Everdeen in the post-apocalyptic state of Panem, where the Hunger Games are a televised fight to the death between teenagers. Rosie Swash gives her verdict. The realities of the modern political world come under scrutiny in Michael Ignatieff's new book Fire and Ashes: Success and Failure in Politics. The Canadian academic, writer and broadcaster shelved his university career to enter politics, becoming leader of the country's Liberal Party in 2008. On the line from Toronto - where the city's controversial mayor is fighting for political survival - Ignatieff reflects on his bruising electoral defeat and what he learnt on the front line of 21st century politics. Adrian Lester, Rory Kinnear and Lucy Kirkwood were among the winners at last night's Evening Standard Theatre Awards. Mark spoke to the night's winners as they reflected on the past year on stage. Tate Britain re-opens today after a major refurbishment. The Duveen galleries are hosting works by Alison Wilding, one of Britain's foremost sculptors known for her inventive approach to form and materials. She tells Mark about making a model of one of her pieces - Harbour - from a piece of cheese before working it in alabaster, and how she'll stop schoolchildren touching her work if she spots them. Following the announcement of the death of Doris Lessing on 17 November we pay tribute with an excerpt from a Front Row interview in 2008, where she talks about the effect of winning the Nobel Prize for literature on the sales of her books. Producer: Dymphna Flynn.

Professors Carol Chillington Rutter and Tony Howard alongside Adrian Lester, fresh from playing Othello, discuss the National Theatre's four productions of Othello 1964-2013. The film explores the performances of Laurence Olivier, Paul Scofield, David Harewood and Adrian Lester and considers the context of each production as well as the interpretation of Othello's character.

Adrian Lester talks to Al Senter about playing the role of Othello in Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production, and how playing Ira Aldridge in Red Velvet influenced his performance. He also talks about acting and directing the BBC series of Hustle, performing for Stephen Sondheim and his future plans.

This is a background pack for Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production of Othello with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear. Included in this pack are interviews with the cast and a rehearsal diary.

Adrian Lester talks to Al Senter about playing the role of Othello in Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production, and how playing Ira Aldridge in Red Velvet influenced his performance. He also talks about acting and directing the BBC series of Hustle, performing for Stephen Sondheim and his future plans.

Adrian Lester talks to Al Senter about playing the role of Othello in Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production, and how playing Ira Aldridge in Red Velvet influenced his performance. He also talks about acting and directing the BBC series of Hustle, performing for Stephen Sondheim and his future plans.

This is a background pack for Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production of Othello with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear. Included in this pack are interviews with the cast and a rehearsal diary.

Actor Adrian Lester chooses Bob Marley’s Redemption Song for Front Row’s Cultural Exchange. Plus archive interviews with Bob Marley, his producer Chris Blackwell, and other friends and relations.

With Mark Lawson. David Tennant and Emily Watson star in a new three part TV drama, The Politician's Husband. Written by Paula Milne, it centres on the family life, and career prospects of husband and wife MPs. As his fortunes wane, hers rise, with considerable repercussions. Baroness Virginia and Sir Peter Bottomley discuss whether it's a realistic depiction of a power couple. More from the Cultural Exchange project, in which 75 leading creative minds share their passion for a book, film, poem, piece of music or other work of art. Tonight actor Adrian Lester contributes Bob Marley's Redemption Song and explains why it struck such a chord when he heard it first in 1981 when he was 12. A Delicate Truth is the new novel by John le Carré and it finds the author returning to the world of espionage and diplomacy for which he is best known. The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall gives her verdict. In The Fog, an award-winning World War II film set in the Soviet Union, centres around the developing relationship between a Nazi collaborator and two members of the resistance movement who have been sent to kill him. Larushka Ivan-Zadeh reviews. Producer Ellie Bury.

Rana Mitter talks to Susannah Clapp with the first review of the National Theatre's production of 'Othello', starring Adrian Lester as the Moor. According to David Boyle's new book, 'Broke', something is killing off the middle classes and to discuss this are Selina Todd and Mark Littlewood. The literary biographer Richard Holmes has taken to the air in his latest book - a history of ballooning and its pioneers. And, as "Who's the Pest?" brings a season of insect inspired events to the Wellcome Collection in London, Rana is joined by Mark Moffett, and Erica McAlister to discuss the hidden virtues of insects.

With Mark Lawson Animator Nick Park has adapted his most famous characters Wallace & Gromit for the small screen, the big screen, the BBC Proms and now the theme park. He invites Mark to take a turn on his new ride - the Thrill-O-Matic - as it opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. More from the Cultural Exchange project, in which 75 leading creative minds share their passion for a book, film, poem, piece of music or other work of art. Tonight Mohsin Hamid, author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist, selects the groundbreaking sci-fi novel Star Maker by Olaf Stapledon. The 1937 book is a history of life in the universe, in which a human from England is transported out of his body and finds himself able to explore space and other planets. Considered by Arthur C Clarke as one of the finest science fiction books ever written, Star Maker also was loved by Winston Churchill and Virginia Woolf. Nicholas Hytner gives Othello a modern military setting, in a new staging starring Adrian Lester in the title role, with Rory Kinnear as Iago. Hermione Lee assesses whether this National Theatre production casts a fresh light on the play. ITV's latest sitcom, Vicious, features Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi as an elderly gay couple, with Frances de la Tour as their best friend. Writer and critic Philip Hoare has watched it and discusses whether Vicious lives up to its name. Producer Ekene Akalawu.

With Mark Lawson. Damian Lewis, Hugh Laurie, Thandie Newton, Adrian Lester, Clive Owen and Ashley Jensen are among the actors who discuss the highs and lows of working as British performers in America. Many high profile American TV shows and films are casting British actors in key roles. The success of programmes such as Homeland and House are testament to the strong parts tempting British actors across the pond. Director Stephen Frears explains his theory that there is a crisis in American acting, prompting producers and directors to seek talent on this side of the Atlantic. Hugh Laurie and Damian Lewis reflect on the pros and cons of the long contracts and extended seasons on prime time US TV shows and Adrian Lester and Thandie Newton explore the reasons behind the success of many black British actors in America. Producer Ellie Bury.

Mark Lawson unwraps interviews with arts headline makers of 2012, in the second of two programmes. Writer E L James reflects on a year in which she became a global publishing phenomenon, with her best-selling trilogy which began with Fifty Shades of Grey. Mark looks back at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, with director Danny Boyle and designer Thomas Heatherwick, who created the highly original cauldron for the Olympic flame. Singer Emeli Sandé remembers how nervous she felt moments before performing at the Opening Ceremony, and discusses a year in which she has become one of the UK's most high-profile musicians. Broadcaster and writer Clare Balding considers her role as a presenter at the Olympic and Paralympic games, and reveals how she allowed her mother three chances to veto content in her best-selling memoir, published this year. Writer Lolita Chakrabarti and actor Adrian Lester talk about their collaboration on the acclaimed play Red Velvet, based on the life of Ira Aldridge, an African-American actor whose arrival on the 19th century London stage provoked debate and dissent. Producer Ella-mai Robey.

Crime-writer Anne Cleves; Adrian Lester takes questions from young actors; John Wilson talks to soul survivor Bobby Womack; novelist Joyce Carol Oates; Mark Lawson chairs a debate on whether e-books are a threat or a new chance for publishers.

In a special edition recorded at the Radio 1 Academy in Hackney, Mark Lawson talks to Adrian Lester, star of the BBC TV drama Hustle, who also answers questions from an audience of young actors. Adrian Lester reflects on his career so far, which includes Rosalind in an all-male production of As You Like It, along with leading roles in musicals, television and film. He also offers advice to young people hoping to follow in his footsteps. Their questions cover topics such as how to make a living as an actor, the experience of going to drama school, and what you can learn from sharing a stage with Hollywood stars. Producer Claire Bartleet.

With Mark Lawson. Julie Walters returns to the stage playing an old hippie, in The Last of the Haussmans, a debut play by Stephen Beresford. The play also stars Helen McCrory and Rory Kinnear as Judy's grown-up children and the victims of a rackety 60s upbringing. Valerie Grove reviews. A new exhibition at the Science Museum celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alan Turing, the wartime codebreaker and pioneering computer scientist. Actor Ed Stoppard, who played Turing in a recent TV docudrama, reviews. Actor Adrian Lester, star of hustle on BBC One, discusses his career and takes questions from a group of young would-be actors in a session recorded in Hackney at the Radio 1 Academy. Producer Jerome Weatherald.

Director Sam Mendes on TV Shakespeare; Ed Stoppard on wartime codebreaker Alan Turing; Prunella Scales on turning 80; the British Paraorchestra; actor Adrian Lester takes questions from would-be actors and author Helene Hegelmann on her prizewinning novel Axolotl Roadkill.