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10 Episodes 2018 - 2020
Episode 1
29 mins
The cultural discussion and review programme hosted by classicist Mary Beard returns for a third series. Mary begins the new series by discussing with her panel of guests the representation of older people in our culture. Are writers, performers and producers just waking up to the power of the 'Grey Pound'? Are we seeing a new vision of old age? As ageing artists usurp "The Young Turks" are perceptions of older people changing? Mary is joined by actor Richard Wilson and two female peers - broadcaster and campaigner Joan Bakewell and cultural critic and activist Lola Young. Alan Bennett's latest play "Allelujah" explores two of the most pressing issues facing the UK in 2018 - care for the elderly and funding of the national health service. The panel give their thoughts on the play, its portrayal of the elderly patients and the issues it raises. There follows extracts from an interview Mary conducted with writer, broadcaster and fully paid up member of the awkward squad Clive James. Clive discusses life, death and his new epic poem "The River in the Sky". The panel also discuss a new documentary film about Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and Mary asks when is it time to stop creating and "retire" to enjoy the fruits of one's labours? Finally, we play out with music from Paul McCartney's new album "Egypt Station" - his 17th studio album.
Episode 2
29 mins
As the Victoria and Albert Museum prepares to open its striking new 'outpost' in Dundee, Mary Beard discusses iconic architecture and the role of cultural buildings in changing the fortunes of our towns and cities. Tonight's panel of guests are Dundee-born writer A.L. Kennedy, architecture critic Hugh Pearman and political commentator and comedian Ayesha Hazarika. Mary and her panel of guests debate whether Glasgow School of Art should be rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire, whatever the cost, as Muriel Gray has said or should buildings that are gone be allowed to remain gone? There have been various suggestions as to what should be done with another building gutted in a devastating fire, Grenfell Tower in London, how should it be memorialised and how can local people be included in those plans? Mary takes a trip to the seaside to discover how the hostile initial reactions of local people in Margate to the Turner Contemporary have been reversed since it opened in 2011. Like many coastal resort towns around the UK, Margate had been in decline for a number of years and was one of the most deprived areas along the south coast - but the opening of the Turner Contemporary has not only brought visitors back to the town but has also seen new businesses open. Mary speaks to local people about the benefits Margate has reaped from this new cultural building on the seafront. Finally, to celebrate Wolf Alice winning the Mercury Music Prize we see footage of them performing on the very first edition of Front Row (2017).
Episode 3
29 mins
Mary and her guests discusses how film, theatre, literature and photography shape our understanding of the past. She also takes part in a reenactment of the Battle of Prestonpans to explore the appeal of such events.
Episode 4
30 mins
Mary Beard is in Glasgow, where she and her panel of guests discuss the cultural impact of Brexit - from arts funding to asking if it is possible to effectively dramatise or satirise the hottest topic in the UK?
Episode 5
29 mins
Mary and her guests are in Birmingham. They discuss who tells us what to read, are prizes and critics important when choosing a book? Mary investigates how the publishing industry influence our purchases.
Episode 6
34 mins
A special edition of the topical cultural programme in which Mary Beard is in conversation with Oscar-winning actress and writer Emma Thompson.
Episode 7
35 mins
Mary Beard and her guests discuss the ethics of portraying human suffering on screen. Mary and comedian Dom Joly visit the Jack the Ripper Museum in London to explore dark tourism.
Episode 8
35 mins
Ahead of the award of the 2018 Turner Prize, Mary Beard and her panel of guests discuss the shortlisted artists, the relevance of the prize, the art market and ownership of art.
Episode 9
29 mins
A special edition of the culture programme featuring host Mary Beard in conversation with author, critic and broadcaster Clive James.
Episode 18
24 mins