Podcasts about Niamh Cusack

In this Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Darren Thornton, Director/Co-Writer of Four Mothers. Over a chaotic weekend, Edward has to juggle his burgeoning career with the care of four eccentric, combative, and wildly different ladies. Four Mothers is a tender and heartwarming comedy that is set to delight cinema audiences next year with a stellar cast including James McArdle, Fionnula Flanagan, Dearbhla Molloy, Stella McCusker, Niamh Cusack, Paddy Glynn,  Rory O'Neill, Gordon Hickey and Gearoid Farrelly. In cinemas from 4th April 2025. Ahead of that, Film Ireland's Young Peoples' correspondent, Maximilian Driver caught up with Trevor Courtney at a special screening of Holt, a new Irish animated series screening onto RTÉ2 this April. Three mismatched teens from planet Éire, shipwrecked on a dangerous world, must help save the universe from the Blight if they're ever to return home. https://filmireland.net/

Niamh comes from a pretty impressive acting dynasty. Actor Niamh Cusack joined Dave to chat about acting, family ties and her new role in Annie Baker's 'Circle Mirror Transformation' at the Gate Theatre.

Chat with the actress about her role in the Annie Baker play ‘Circle Mirror Transformation' at the Gate Theatre, her parents and the family acting dynasty and her early plans to be a professional flute player Further details: https://www.gatetheatre.ie/

The Pulitzer Prize winning poet Mary Oliver died in 2019. She was best known for her poetry that reflected her love of the natural world and her famous poem 'Wild Geese' is said to have literally saved people's lives with its message of hope and redemption. An abusive childhood led the young Mary to escape into the woods near her home in Ohio where she discovered a love of nature that was to sustain her throughout her life. She found love with the photographer Molly Malone Cook and they lived happily for many years in Provincetown Massachusetts. Her life and work are greatly admired by many including this week's guest the actor Niamh Cusack and Mary's friend Baroness Helena Kennedy.Producer: Maggie AyreExtracts of Mary Oliver from The Onbeing Project with Krista Tippett and from a conversation with Coleman Barks for the Lannan Foundation

Thanks to the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, Colin Barrett was able to write his debut novel under the mentorship of one of Ireland's most beloved novelists, Colm Tóibín. Monocle Radio's Meet the Writers special season, A Word in Your Ear, continues with actress Niamh Cusack reading from ‘The Ways', a short story from Barrett's latest collection, ‘Homesickness'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're moving away from the Festival for a moment, and bringing you your regular @EchoChamberFP https://www.instagram.com/echochamberfp/ episode!!! Horror seems to be the theme this week, as we have three different offerings from the genre. Mainframe Pictures & Blue Finch Films start things off with an 80's summer camp homage. Tempo Productions & Shudder then bring us a tale steeped in Irish folklore and home invasion. Next is an action adventure sequel from AGBO & Netflix. AND we end on a documentary about a master horror storyteller from Les Films de la Plage & Signature Entertainment. Today we have: She Came From The Woods Watch Review: Here. https://youtu.be/xNhS-NY9cMU FrightFest: 27th August 2022 Theatrical Release Date: 10th February 2023 Tubi Release Date: 10th June 2023 Digital Release Date: 26th June 2023 Director: Erik Bloomquist Cast: Cara Buono, Clare Foley, Spencer List, William Sadler, Michael Park, Tyler Elliot Burke, Adam Weppler, Ehad Berisha, Dan Leahy, Giselle Torres, Sienna Hubert-Ross, Emily Keefe, Erik Bloomquist, Cory Asinofsky Credit: Mainframe Pictures, Blue Finch Films, Tubi Genre: Horror Running Time: 101 min Cert: 15 Trailer: Here. https://youtu.be/SQwQ-bPGYGs Digital Platforms: Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Movies ------------ Unwelcome Watch Review: Here. https://youtu.be/xP1JJ2umiu8 Sitges Film Festival: 14th October 2022 Theatrical Release Date: 27th January 2023 Digital Release Date: 23rd June 2023 Director: Jon Wright Cast: Hannah John-Kamen, Douglas Booth, Colm Meaney, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Kristian Nairn, Chris Walley, Niamh Cusack, Finbar Lynch, Rick Warden Running Time: 104 min Cert: 15 Trailer: Here. https://youtu.be/vQCAgCKQ5WY Digital Platforms: Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Vudu Watch via Apple TV+: Here. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/unwelcome/umc.cmc.4f5as77xbd737a2j5q2q4s0mg Watch via Prime Vide: Here. https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0U7Q8THTQRKJKNFQSAYYMZN226 Watch via Prime Vide UK: Here. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unwelcome-Hannah-John-Kamen/dp/B0B8T81DQ3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G60GV5P41CIF&keywords=unwelcome+2023&qid=1687626859&s=instant-video&sprefix=Unwelcom%2Cinstant-video%2C77&sr=1-1 Website: Here. https://wellgousa.com/films/unwelcome ------------ Extraction 2 Watch Review: Here. https://youtu.be/g-BBExE8VQg Theatrical Release Date: 13th June 2023 Digital Release Date: 16th June 2023 Director: Sam Hargrave Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt, Tinatin Dalakishvili, Idris Elba, Andro Japaridze, Miriam Kovziashvili, Marta Kovziashvili, Tornike Gogrichiani, Tornike Bziava, Dato Bakhtadze, Daniel Bernhardt, Levan Saginashvili, George Lasha, Irakli Kvirikadze Running Time: 122 min Cert: 15 Trailer: Here. https://youtu.be/mO0OuR26IZM Watch via Netflix: Here. https://www.netflix.com/browse?jbv=81098494 Website: Here. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/extraction-2 ------------ Stephen King on Screen Watch Review: Here. https://youtu.be/uMCFUoNx64Y Fantastic Fest: 24th September 2022 Digital Release Date: 26th June 2023 Blu-ray Release Date: 18th September Director: Daphné Baiwir Cast: Frank Darabont, Tim Curry, Tom Holland, James Caan, Mike Flanagan, Mick Garris, Mikael Salomon, Craig R Baxley, Taylor Hackford, John Harrison, Scott Hicks, Vincenzo Natali, Mikael Hafstrom, Fritz Kiersch, Andre Ovredal, Peter Askin, Jeff Beesley, Zak Hilditch, JP Scott, James Douglas, Stephen King Running Time: 105 min Cert: 15 Trailer: Here. https://youtu.be/-A3Q5dXRBtM Digital Platforms: Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube Movies Watch via Apple TV+: Here. https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/stephen-king-on-screen/umc.cmc.28oppg4u8jyrh2bcxx861f69o Website: Here. https://kingonscreen.com/ ------------ *(Music) 'No One Knows' by Queens of the Stone Age - 2002 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eftv/message

We visit the historic Old Head of Kinsale lighthouse in Co Cork. And we hear from artist Eve Parnell about a unique project to mark the 75th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service. Eve went on board the LE James Joyce to oversee the actor Niamh Cusack performing a poem about the Navy.

From a family of acting royalty Niamh Cusack chats to Miriam about growing up in the Cusack household and appearing on stage in Ireland for the first time in over 30 years.

We're joined by acclaimed actor Niamh Cusack (Curious Incident) & ringmaster David Williamson (The Illusionists) for a bonus episode of The West End Frame Show! Niamh Cusack is currently starring in the world premiere of Colin Teevan's The Seven Pomegranate Seeds directed by Melly Still at the Rose Theatre in Kingston.  Niamh previously starred at the Rose as Lenu in My Brilliant Friend: Parts 1 & 2 when it transferred to the National Theatre.  Her other work at the National Theatre includes The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (also West End), The Enchantment and His Dark Materials.  Just a few of her further credits include: Macbeth and As You Like It for the RSC; Playboy of the Western World and Dancing at Lughnasa at the Old Vic; The Winter's Tale at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse; The Rehearsal and The Merchant of Venice at Chichester Festival Theatre and Breathing Corpses at the Royal Court.  She is an Associate Artist at the Rose.  The Seven Pomegranate Seeds runs at the Rose Theatre until 20th November 2021.  David Williamson is currently preparing to return to London as Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade in Circus 1903 which runs at the Southbank Centre this Christmas. This year a range of astounding new acts will accompany old favourites in Circus 1903, transporting audiences back to the wonders of the Golden Age of Circus.  The show also features puppeteers who bring two elephants to life, Queenie and Peanut! David is a renowned magician; in addition to touring the world with Circus 1903, he has appeared onstage in The IllusionistsCircus 1903 runs at the Southbank Centre 16th December 2021 – 2 January 2022. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures.   

The Great, a new ahistorical comedy from The Favourite writer Tony McNamara arrives on Channel 4 this month. Describing itself as “an occasionally true story”, it is a satirical drama about the rise of Catherine the Great, staring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. McNamara talks period dramas, historical inaccuracies and contemporary characters. The great Irish poet Eavan Boland has just posthumously won the Costa Poetry Prize. Boland's collection The Historians continues her reflections on the power of history and memory, of secrets and hidden histories, and of centring women’s stories. Tom is joined by Jody Allen Randolph, a friend and leading scholar of Eavan’s work, and actress Niamh Cusack reads from the collection. The genre that helped define American music and describe the Black American experience is the subject of a new series of album releases which trace the genesis of blues, ragtime, hokum and gospel from the mid-1920s. Matchbox Bluesmaster Series claims to be the most comprehensive survey of the origins of Black American blues music - Kevin Le Gendre assesses the success of its first instalment. Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Simon Richardson Studio Manager: John Boland

Walter is 68 and Mary is 64. He is full of madcap ideas, she resists change. The only thing they have in common is they both hate Christmas. A story with a twist on the Christmas theme and it's classic Rachel Joyce territory – relationships, loss and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Mary ….. Niamh Cusack Walter ….. Robert Lindsay Helen ….. Cecilia Appiah Directed by Tracey Neale It is in the park that Mary first spots Walter. He's drowning in the Lake and she calls for help. When she returns a few days later, Walter is there and berates her for interfering - all he was trying to do was learn to swim. It's a bad beginning but then their conversation begins ... Mary is played by Niamh Cusack. Her television work includes Heartbeat, Father Brown and The Virtues. Her film credits include In Love with Alma Cogan. Niamh played Lady Macbeth for the RSC and most recently Lenu in the National Theatre's production of My Brilliant Friend. Walter is played by award winning actor, Robert Lindsay. His theatre work covers many roles for the RSC and musical theatre too. This includes Me and My Girl in which he played the lead role on both the West End and Broadway stage. His television work includes My Family, Citizen Smith and G.B.H. His most recent film role was playing King John in Maleficent 2. The award winning novelist Rachel Joyce had her sixth novel published earlier this year - Miss Benson's Beetle. Her first novel - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - began its life as a radio drama and was called To Be A Pilgrim. It won the Peter Tinniswood Award for Best Radio Drama. Her other novels include Perfect and The Music Shop. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Music Shop are now in development with Netflix.

Clive Anderson and Athena Kugblenu are joined by Niamh Cusack, Laura Dockrill and Kim Longinotto for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. With music from Rick Wakeman and Marry Waterson & Emily Barker.

News about arts cuts in Birmingham, a new season at Royal Court Theatre featuring a play by Harry Potter And The Cursed Child writer Jack Thorne, and a new tour of American Idiot, plus a review of A Very Very Very Dark Matter by Martin MacDonagh starring Jim Broadbent at Bridge Theatre London, and the pick of this week's openings including plays featuring Christopher Ecclestone, Niamh Cusack, Rufus Hound, David Threlfall, Keith Allen and Tamsin Greig. 

Norwegian crime writer Jo Nesbø on his novel based on Macbeth; playwright Mark Ravenhill on why the play rarely works on stage, James Shapiro on the contemporary events which shaped it and Emma Whipday on the elements that Shakespeare borrowed from 16th century domestic dramas. Plus Ellah Wakatama Allfrey on rereading Chinua Achebe's 1958 novel and the echoes of Macbeth she found there. Presented by Shahidha BariA 60th anniversary reading of Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe and abridged by Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, Publishing Director at The Indigo Press, is taking place at London's Southbank Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on April 15th, with readers including Lucian Msamati, Chibundu Onuzo, Margaret Busby and Olu Jacobs. Jo Nesbø's Macbeth is published now and the plot summary reads: When a drug bust turns into a bloodbath it's up to Inspector Macbeth and his team to clean up the mess. He's also an ex-drug addict with a troubled past.Macbeth - starring Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie Duff - is on stage at London's National Theatre until June 23rd and will be broadcast live to cinemas on 10 May. It's also at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon - starring Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack - until September 18th and will transfer to London between Oct 15th and Jan 18th 2019. Mark Bruce Company are on tour with their dance-theatre version visiting Ipswich, Blackpool, Exeter, Salisbury and Milton Keynes. Macbeth directed by Kit Monkman is in cinemas around the UK. Producer: Torquil MacLeod.

The Telegraph's Ben Lawrence goes behind the scenes of the brand new Royal Shakespeare Company production of Macbeth and talks to actors Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack, and director Polly Findlay.Discover more at www.telegraph.co.uk and www.rsc.org.uk/podcastsMusic licensed at www.epidemicsound.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"She sat like Patience on a monument,  smiling at grief." -- Viola, 'Twelfth Night'   Before we kick off the festivities, a quick trip through the backstory of Western theatre, and a look at some of the early playwrights of the Elizabethan era, including Kit Marlowe. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, or by email at podcastshakespeare@gmail.com. The website for the podcast is https://podcastshakespeare.com/. On the website, you can find an evolving bibliography.   Links mentioned: Aristotle, Poetics Kevin Costner, The Postman The playwright Hrosvitha Shakespeare's Way - signposted walk from Stratford-upon-Avon to London Stephen Greenblatt on the "controversial" 2017 Julius Caesar at New York's Public Theatre (The Guardian)   Clips: Sergei Prokofiev, "Montagues and Capulets", from Romeo and Juliet (ballet), 1935 Leonard Bernstein, Intro from West Side Story, 1957 Luciano Michelini, 'Frolic', from Curb Your Enthusiasm, 2000 - present Niamh Cusack as Viola, Twelfth Night Act II scene iv William Walton, Hamlet: A Shakespeare Scenario, 1947 Thomas Adès, The Tempest (after William Shakespeare), Act II scene iv, 2004 Henry Purcell, "Ritornelle" from Dido and Aeneas, Act II, 1689 Giuseppe Verdi, Act I finale from Otello, 1887

McCafferty’s most recent play Quietly had its US premiere in New York in July 2016. It was first produced at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin in 2012 as part of their Great Irish Writers Season. The play was nominated for Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards. In 2013 the Abbey Production of Quietly played at the Traverse Theatre during the Edinburgh Festival and was then transferred to the SOHO Theatre, London. Owen McCafferty’s recent play Death of a Comedian was a co-production between The Abbey, The Lyric, Belfast and SOHO and was shown in Dublin, Belfast and London. His previous play Unfaithful was produced at The Traverse Theatre in 2014, to great acclaim and will be produced in London in August 2016 starring Niamh Cusack and Sean Campion. Owen performs a dramatic reading of Quietly, for Villanova's 2017 Literary Festival.

McCafferty’s most recent play Quietly had its US premiere in New York in July 2016. It was first produced at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin in 2012 as part of their Great Irish Writers Season. The play was nominated for Best New Play at the Irish Times Theatre Awards. In 2013 the Abbey Production of Quietly played at the Traverse Theatre during the Edinburgh Festival and was then transferred to the SOHO Theatre, London. Owen McCafferty’s recent play Death of a Comedian was a co-production between The Abbey, The Lyric, Belfast and SOHO and was shown in Dublin, Belfast and London. His previous play Unfaithful was produced at The Traverse Theatre in 2014, to great acclaim and will be produced in London in August 2016 starring Niamh Cusack and Sean Campion. Owen performs a dramatic reading of 'Quietly,' for Villanova's 2017 Literary Festival.

Find out what audiences have been saying about Ghosts, Polly Findlay's updated version of Henrik Ibsen's classic play starring Niamh Cusack. Ghosts runs from Fri 18 Nov - Sat 03 Dec. To find out more and book tickets head here http://bit.ly/2dUn17N Brought to you in association with Virgin Media Business http://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk

We speak to Niamh Cusack about starring in Polly Findlay's new rendition of Henrik Ibsen's classic story, Ghosts. Ghosts runs from Fri 18 Nov - Sat 03 Dec. To find out more and book tickets head here: http://bit.ly/2deZ4Vu Brought to you in association with Virgin Media Business http://www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk

In this episode of The Actors' Room, Lynn Larkin is joined by Maureen O'Connell. Maureen has a Higher National Diploma in Film Production from Ballyfermot College & a BA in Acting from RADA, London. Maureen has over 10 years experience as an actor & filmmaker. She has many theatre and tv credits to her name, most notably, 'Mary' in Juno & the Paycock alongside Niamh Cusack, and 'Oonagh' in BBC 1's Father Brown alongside Mark Williams and James Fleet. She has written and directed 3 short films, the most recent of which Proclaim! has just won the Best 1916 Centenary Short Film Award at Fingal Film Festival and Best Script at the Dublin International Short Film & Music Festival. Maureen also teaches Acting at Filmbase. Maureen is currently directing her first feature film. Links: www.proclaimfilm.com www.maureenoconnell.weebly.com www.3hotwhiskeys.weebly.com http://filmireland.net/

País Reino Unido Director Tim Whitby Guión Lucy Gannon Música Mark Russell Fotografía Matt Gray Reparto Eddie Marsan, George Mackay, Rob Brydon, Niamh Cusack, Richard McCabe, Bee Bee Sanders, Leigh Quinn, Ben Owen-Jones, David Proud, Nicholas Jones, Tristan Sturrock, Nigel Lindsay, Rachael Spence, Tracy Ann Oberman, Stephen McGonigle, Mali Harries Sinopsis Médico judío en Alemania, el neurólogo Ludwig Guttmann llegó al Reino Unido huyendo de los nazis al inicio de la Segunda Guerra Mundial y se hizo cargo de la unidad de parapléjicos de un hospital en Buckinghamshire. Escandalizado por la forma en que trataban a los enfermos, fuertemente sedados y llenos de llagas por estar atados a la cama, Guttmann transformó radicalmente el tratamiento. Se deshizo de los antiguos equipos y de los sedantes e incluyó actividades deportivas y musicales en la rutina diaria de los pacientes. Aunque al principio sus colegas y superiores se opusieron, pronto demostró la efectividad de su método en el estado físico y emocional de los enfermos, que le trataban como un héroe. Al término de la guerra, Guttmann empieza a organizar competiciones deportivas en silla de ruedas a nivel nacional, sembrando el germen de los futuros Juegos Paralímpicos, cuya primera edición inauguró él mismo en 1960.

March Into May 2016: A Podcast all about the season of Spring! FolkCast's fourth annual celebration of Spring. Presented and produced by Phil Widdows It's Spring Again by Arthur Askey from the album "Hello Playmates" (2006) * Gloomy Winter's Now Away by Spoil The Dance from the album "Northern Commons" (2015) * Spring 1919 by Coope Boyes & Simpson from the album "As If…" (2010) * "On Tower Hill beside All Hallows Church, members of the Groves of the Ancient Druid Order celebrate the 'Spring Equinox' (when Spring breathes new life into the dead Winter and barren earth becomes green again)…" Newsreel (1973) * The Return Of The Sun by Kellianna from the album "Lady Moon" (2004) * The Shepperd: III. March by Margaret Buckle (read by Niamh Cusack) from the album "Summer's End: The Poems of Margaret Buckle with music by Edward Watson" (2009) * So Early In The Spring by Mark Owen Music Digital Release (2014) * Boing by Mike Reinstein from the album "The Tommy Tomato Songbook" (2005) * Springtime Sunshine by Green Genes from the album "Green Genes" (2010) * "Let us to the open road, where every aspect pleases…" "Silly Springtime Poem" (1938) * Your Man by The Knights Of Mentis from the album "New Pound Coin" (2013) * "The origins of All Fools' Day" from the book "The Twelve Months Of The Year" (published 1980) Music: April Fool by John Kirkpatrick from the album "The Duck Race" (2004) * 'Twas On One April's Morning by Show Of Hands from the album "The Long Way Home" (2016) * Dark Swift And Bright Swallow by Andy Cutting, Nancy Kerr & Martin Simpson from the album “Murmers” (2015) * So Much Rain by Sarah McQuaid from the album "The Plum Tree And The Rose" (2012) * Pussywillows Cattails by Kenny Rankin from the album "Silver Morning" (1974) * "Spring is sprung, grass iz rizz. I wonder where dem boidies is? Ah! The boid is on the wing! But isn't dat absoid? I thought the wing is on da boid…" Anon. * Cuckoo by Christof from the EP "Springtime" (2010) * Singing In the May by Mike O’Connor from the album "Summon Up The Song" (2010) * Hal-an-Tow by The Changing Room from the album "Behind The Lace" (2015) * Fort Lauderdale College Spring Break 1967 newsreel (Part I) * Hunt The Hare (Part II) by Lisa Knapp from the album "Hidden Seam" (2013) * It's Saturday morning in Springfield… from "Father Knows Best: Spring Cleaning", NBC radio (1954) * The Pleasant Month Of May by Jackie Oates from the album "Hyperboreans" (2009) * Fort Lauderdale College Spring Break 1967 newsreel (Part II) * Dandelions And Foxgloves by Becky Mills from the album "Dandelion" (2013) * Blow The Windy Morning by Faustus from the album "Broken Down Gentlemen" (2013) * When The Summer Comes Again by Hilary James & Simon Mayor from the album "The Mandolin Album" (1990) * Spring by Fabian Holland from the album "A Day Like Tomorrow" (2015) * Spring Song by Charlie Chaplin * For full details and links to artists’ websites, see the ShowNotes at www.folkcast.co.uk

Actress Niamh Cusack talks to Sarah Walker about performing on stage with her sisters and father in Chekhov, and how to get a top 'C' on the flute. Plus Sarah recommends her own choice of music for Niamh.

With Mark Lawson. Jack Whitehall, Greg Davies, Niamh Cusack and Frances de la Tour are among the performers and artists who share memories and reflections on working with close members of their families. Christmas is the time when people are most likely to spend time with their closest relatives. But for some in showbusiness the holidays are not a rare family reunion but a continuation of a professional relationship or, for writers and comedians, an encounter with the relatives who have been the source of their best material. Comedians Greg Davies, Jack Whitehall and Sarah Millican regularly exploit cringeworthy family moments in the service of comedy. They describe how it feels to perform the material with the family members in question in the audience. Actress Niamh Cusack reflects on the experience of appearing in Chekhov's Three Sisters with two of her sisters and her father, and Andy and Frances de la Tour discuss working together in Alan Bennett's People, and why they are banned from laughing while watching each other perform. Singer Donny Osmond reveals why he and sister Marie's chemistry on stage does not necessarily reflect the reality off-stage and the conductor Alan Gilbert explains why having his violinist mother in the orchestra prevents the other musicians from indulging in a much-loved pleasure. Producer Ellie Bury.

Niall, the son of King Eochaid and the slave woman Cairenn, proves himself to be as worthy of the throne as his half-brothers. Will Queen Mongfind stop him so one of her own sons will be King? From the collection Tales from Celtic Lands retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

With Kirsty Lang Alan Davies, QI panellist and star of Jonathan Creek, discusses returning to stand-up after a ten year break. He also talks about coming last on QI, his run-ins with the tabloids and how maturity enables him to perform material based on painful life experiences for the first time Mark Haddon's best selling book, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, has been adapted for the stage by playwright Simon Stephens. It stars Luke Treadway as the Aspergic boy in a cast that includes Niamh Cusack and Una Stubbs. Alex Clark reviews When Danny Boyle conceived the opening ceremony of this year's Olympics, special effects company Artem helped him realise his visions. The 20 metre Voldemort, grinning Cruella de Ville, and smoking chimneys of the industrial revolution were all made by Artem, who also designed a 6 metre tall Lady Godiva, now travelling from Coventry to London as part of the West Midlands' contribution to the Cultural Olympiad. Artem CEO, Mike Kelt, explains how these giant puppets were brought to life and reveals just a little about what to expect at the Olympic closing ceremony Undefeated is an Oscar-winning documentary following a group of underprivileged school athletes from inner-city Memphis, on and off the football field. Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London, discusses this take on contemporary America, and the formula behind Oscar-winning documentaries In celebration of the Olympics, the BBC - in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh - has selected and recorded a poem representing every competing country. Each is read by a native of that country who has made their home here in Britain. Every night for the Olympic fortnight FRONT ROW features one of these poems Producer Nicki Paxman.

A brave young girl journeys for seven long years to find her lost love in this tale from Scotland. From the book Tales from Celtic Lands, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

This week Libby Purves is joined by Peter Brookes, Alexandra Fuller, Albie Sachs and Niamh Cusack. Peter Brookes is the political cartoonist for The Times newspaper and the current British Cartoonist of the Year. His book, 'Hard Times' is his latest collection of outrageous sketches of contemporary and political life. 'Hard Times' is published by Biteback Publishing. Alexandra Fuller is a writer. Her new book 'Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness' is an exploration of her family; at its heart is the story of her mother, Nicola. Born on the Isle of Skye and raised in Kenya, Nicola holds dear the values most likely to get you killed in Africa: loyalty to blood, passion for land and the holy belief in the restorative power of all animals. 'Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness' is published by Simon & Schuster. Albie Sachs is a former high-court judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and one of the architects of the South African constitution. During the apartheid years, whilst in exile in Mozambique, his car was blown up by South African security agents and he lost an arm and an eye. He republishes his book 'The Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter', an account of his journey, and his country's, from apartheid to a new South Africa with a moving chapter in which he tries to explain to his young son about apartheid. 'The Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter' is published by Souvenir Press. Niamh Cusack is an Irish actor who has worked extensively in theatre and television. She became a household name in 1992 in ITV's 'Heartbeat' and was recently seen as Edith Davenport in the critically acclaimed production of Rattigan's 'Cause Célèbre' at The Old Vic, She is currently starring as Widow Quinn in JM Synge's 'The Playboy of the Western World' at The Old Vic in London. Producer: Chris Paling.

In this tale from Brittany, a young boy and his horse are set a series of seemingly impossible tasks by the King of France and his bride-to-be. From the book Tales from Celtic Lands, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

Niamh Cusack: A Simple Twist of Fate - Bob Dylan; Beim Schlafengehen - Richard Strauss

Richard Coles with novelist John Connolly, poet Elvis McGonagall, a Rwandan man who took his teenage son back to the scenes of the genocide he'd fled, and a young woman who grew up on the diplomatic circuit. There's a Guerilla report about The Floral Dance and actress Niamh Cusack shares her Inheritance Tracks.

Niamh Cusack: A Simple Twist of Fate - Bob Dylan; Beim Schlafengehen - Richard Strauss

With the help of a talking bird, a young peasant girl conquers her evil mistress in this Scottish folktale about the changing of the seasons. From the book Tales from Celtic Lands, retold by Caitlin Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

With the help of a talking bird, a young peasant girl conquers her evil mistress in this Scottish folktale about the changing of the seasons. From the book Tales from Celtic Lands, retold by Caitlin Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

What happens when a generous woodcutter rescues a faerie and receives a wish in return? He must then decide whether to use it to help himself, his wife or his mother and father. From the book and CD, The Faerie’s Gift, retold by Tanya Robyn Batt, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli and narrated by Niamh Cusack.