Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | Ghosts | 20210825 | Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish. This series explores the many 'supporting roles' needed to sustain an apparently 'singular' genius. In this first episode we meet Einstein's wife Mileva, the Curie power couple and a man who falsely claimed to be the genius behind some terrible paintings. Written by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Joshua Higgott Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Chris Maclean [R4 BD=20220311 | |
| 01 | 02 | Muses | 20210901 | Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish. This series explores the many 'supporting roles' needed to sustain an apparently 'singular' genius. In this episode Helen turns her attention to the role of the Muse as she meets many and various historical figures from Elizabeth Siddal to Dora Maar via Alice B Toklas. Written by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Joshua Higgott Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Chris Maclean [R4 BD=20220318 | |
| 01 | 03 | Thanks For Typing | 20210908 | Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish. This series explores the many 'supporting roles' needed to sustain an apparently 'singular' genius. In this episode, Helen turns her attention to those less well-known other halves who have taken on not just the role of Great Wife but also that of typist. We meet Sonya Tolstaya, Vera Nabokov and hear what happened when the English professor Bruce Holsinger researched the phrase 'my wife typed'. Written by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Joshua Higgott Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Chris Maclean [R4 BD=20220325 | |
| 01 | 04 | Out Of The Shadows | 20210915 | 20231201 (R4) | For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish. This series explores the many 'supporting roles' needed to sustain an apparently 'singular' genius. In the final episode of the series Helen explores the myth of the solitary genius as we meet Alma Mahler, discover Charles Darwin's 'pros and cons' list on the subject of taking a wife and unpick the influential work of the psychologist Hans Eysenck. Written by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Joshua Higgott Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Chris Maclean A BBC Studios Production Helen Lewis meets the life partners of history's most famous geniuses. Helen Lewis introduces some iconic figures from history and looks at the influence of their less well-known life partners. |
| 01 | 04 LAST | Out Of The Shadows | 20210915 | Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish. This series explores the many supporting roles needed to sustain an apparently singular genius. In the final episode of the series Helen explores the myth of the solitary genius as we meet Alma Mahler, discover Charles Darwin's pros and cons list on the subject of taking a wife and unpick the influential work of the psychologist Hans Eysenck. Written by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Joshua Higgott Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Chris Maclean Helen Lewis introduces some iconic figures from history and looks at the influence of their less well-known life partners. Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish. This series explores the many 'supporting roles' needed to sustain an apparently 'singular' genius. In the final episode of the series, Helen explores the myth of the solitary genius as we meet Alma Mahler, discover Charles Darwin's 'pros and cons' list on the subject of taking a wife and unpick the influential work of the psychologist Hans Eysenck. | |
| 02 | 01 | Double Acts | 20230818 | 20231127 (R4) | What links the Krankies and two European performance artists who once tied themselves together by the hair? Both reveal the power - and passion - of creative couples. For a time, Marina Abramoviç and Ulay were inseparable. These two performance artists breathed the same oxygen, got naked together and called each other “Glue. ? But what should have been their greatest joint achievement - walking from opposite ends of the Great Wall of China to meet in the middle - ended up tearing them apart. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. Written and performed by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Kudzanayi Chiwawa & Joshua Higgott Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Neil Goody A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4 What links the Krankies and two naked performance artists? Helen Lewis finds out. Helen Lewis meets the life partners of history's most famous geniuses. What links the Krankies and two European performance artists who once tied themselves together by the hair? Helen Lewis finds out. For a time, Marina Abramovi瀀 and Ulay were inseparable. These two performance artists breathed the same oxygen, got naked together and called each other `Glue.` But what should have been their greatest joint achievement - walking from opposite ends of the Great Wall of China to meet in the middle - ended up tearing them apart. |
| 02 | 02 | Rulers And Regents | 20230825 | 20231128 (R4) | From the murderous Wu Zetian to the Serpent Queen of France, what does it take for a royal wife to step out of the shadows and dare to wield power? History is full of “humble ? consorts who turned out to be steely leaders after their husbands died. Some governed on behalf of their young sons, while others ruled in their own right. Even queens with living partners could be called on to guard the country when the king was away at war. But not everyone was happy to have a woman in charge. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. Written and performed by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Kudzanayi Chiwawa & Joshua Higgott Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Neil Goody A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4 From Wu Zetian to the Serpent Queen, the royal women who stepped out of the shadows. Helen Lewis meets the life partners of history's most famous geniuses. From the murderous Wu Zetian to the Serpent Queen of France, Helen Lewis reveals the royal women who stepped out of the shadows and dared to wield power. History is full of `humble` consorts who turned out to be steely leaders after their husbands died. Some governed on behalf of their young sons, while others ruled in their own right. Even queens with living partners could be called on to guard the country when the king was away at war. But not everyone was happy to have a woman in charge. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. |
| 02 | 03 | First Ladies | 20230901 | 20231129 (R4) | Mrs Lincoln had an insatiable glove habit. Cherie Blair had a contraceptive disaster. Norma Major woke up to find John's advisors perched on her bed. No wonder people compare being a political spouse to living in a “goldfish bowl ?. So how have the wives of presidents and prime ministers dealt with the pressure of press scrutiny, philandering husbands and the need to keep the banisters spotless? The answers range from reading the astrology charts of World leaders, to taking a lesbian lover: Anything to get a great political wife away from the circus surrounding her partner. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. Written and performed by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Kudzanayi Chiwawa & Joshua Higgott Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Neil Goody A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4 Helen Lewis dives into the 'goldfish bowl' and explores the glamorous job no-one wants. Helen Lewis meets the life partners of history's most famous geniuses. Mrs Lincoln had an insatiable glove habit, while Cherie Blair had a contraceptive disaster. Helen Lewis dives into the 'goldfish bowl' of life as a political spouse. Mrs Lincoln had an insatiable glove habit. Cherie Blair had a contraceptive disaster. Norma Major woke up to find John's advisors perched on her bed. No wonder people compare being a political spouse to living in a `goldfish bowl`. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. |
| 02 | 04 | Great Widows | 20230908 | 20231130 (R4) | By taking McDonald's from a single burger joint in California to a household name across the world, Ray Kroc made one of America's great fortunes. After a few false starts - and dumping his existing wife at a party to celebrate their upcoming round-the-world cruise - he married a blonde pianist called Joan. He proposed with an 11-carat pink heart-shaped diamond. Joan loved Ray, but she didn't love his drinking. And she didn't love the boring life of a society wife. So she set up a charity to fight alcoholism - sparking an interest in philanthropy which would see her give away more than a billion dollars. Along the way, this great widow also gambled in Vegas, commissioned a sculpture of a mushroom cloud and bought herself a Fabergé egg. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. Written and performed by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Kudzanayi Chiwawa & Joshua Higgott Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Neil Goody A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4 Helen Lewis uncovers the story of a woman who gave away one of America's great fortunes. Helen Lewis meets the life partners of history's most famous geniuses. By taking McDonalds from a burger joint to a household name, Ray Kroc made one of America's great fortunes. Helen Lewis uncovers the story of the woman who gave it all away. |
| 02 | 04 LAST | Great Widows | 20230908 | 20231130 (R4) | By taking McDonald's from a single burger joint in California to a household name across the world, Ray Kroc made one of America's great fortunes. After a few false starts - and dumping his existing wife at a party to celebrate their upcoming round-the-world cruise - he married a blonde pianist called Joan. He proposed with an 11-carat pink heart-shaped diamond. Joan loved Ray, but she didn't love his drinking. And she didn't love the boring life of a society wife. So she set up a charity to fight alcoholism - sparking an interest in philanthropy which would see her give away more than a billion dollars. Along the way, this great widow also gambled in Vegas, commissioned a sculpture of a mushroom cloud and bought herself a Fabergé egg. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. Written and performed by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Kudzanayi Chiwawa & Joshua Higgott Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls Sound Design: Neil Goody A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4 Helen Lewis uncovers the story of a woman who gave away one of America's great fortunes. By taking McDonalds from a burger joint to a household name, Ray Kroc made one of America's great fortunes. Helen Lewis uncovers the story of the woman who gave it all away. By taking McDonald's from a single burger joint in California to a household name across the world, Ray Kroc made one of America's great fortunes. After a few false starts - and dumping his existing wife at a party to celebrate their upcoming round-the-world cruise - he married a blonde pianist called Joan. He proposed with an 11-carat pink heart-shaped diamond. Joan loved Ray, but she didn't love his drinking. And she didn't love the boring life of a society wife. So she set up a charity to fight alcoholism - sparking an interest in philanthropy which would see her give away more than a billion dollars. Along the way, this great widow also gambled in Vegas, commissioned a sculpture of a mushroom cloud and bought herself a Faberg退 egg. For two decades, Great Lives on Radio 4 has explored what it takes to change the world. But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question: what does it take to live with someone who changes the world? In the second season of Great Wives, we'll meet more fascinating women - and men - and uncover the relationships that created great art, started wars and changed history. |