Sacred Monsters [Night Waves]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Bertholt Brecht

20091214

Special Night Waves series considering some of important cultural figures who have seen their reputations wither in the last decades. In the face of the collapse of communism, lurid biographical revelation, the authority of feminism and time itself, these grand male voices have seen their intellectual influence diminish - or even collapse.

Philip Dodd and guests offer a re-appraisal of the work and influence of the great German dramatist Bertolt Brecht. Once considered to be the essence of radical drama, his plays and productions were considered models of modernity, intellectual insight and social commentary. Yet the word Brechtian can now seem to represent to many people a production that is leaden, a message which is laboured and a design that is drab and unimaginitive. Are his political fables now fatally outdated and his dramatic techniques no longer effective? Or is it time to take the man who once bestrode the theatrical landscape of Europe and place him back at the centre of the stage?

Philip Dodd and guests on the contested reputation of German dramatist Bertolt Brecht.

Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.

Steven Moffat-dh Lawrence's Reputation-james Cameron

20091215

Matthew Sweet is joined in the studio by the new executive producer and lead writer of Doctor Who, Steven Moffat, in his first interview since taking on the role. He discusses the challenges he faces in taking on one of the BBC's most successful series.

In the second in the Sacred Monsters series, analysing important cultural figures, writers Hermione Lee and Howard Jacobson re-examine the reputation of DH Lawrence. Is he still someone who can be considered a visionary writer or is his worldview, seen by some as phallocentric, now redundant in the 21st century?

Film director James Cameron talks about his new 3D blockbuster Avatar. It is reported as being the most expensive film ever made and Cameron has hopes that it will change the future of cinema. Will it follow The Jazz Singer, the first 'talkie', and Toll of the Sea, the first technicolour movie as films that are either rarely watched or forgotten entirely? Neil Brand and Matt Thorne join Matthew to talk about the fate of films which pioneered new technology.

Neil and Matthew have also been looking at a series of short silent films to be broadcast over Christmas on Sky Television made by directors and writers including Richard Eyre, Neil Gaiman, Roy Williams and Lucy Gannon. But is it possible to return successfully to old forms of cinema?

Matthew Sweet talks to new Dr Who producer Steven Moffat and film director James Cameron.

Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.

Bertrand Russell-liz Forgan-vaclav Havel-nine

20091216

Special Night Waves series considering some of important cultural figures who have seen their reputations wither in the last decades.

Anne McElvoy and guests, incuding philosopher AC Grayling re-assess the reputation of philosopher and public intellectual Bertrand Russell who, at the time of his death in 1970, had a seemingly secure reputation as one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. First, he transformed philosophical thinking through the application of rigorous mathematical logic and then moved on to become one of the most important commentators on a range of subjects, from nationalism to communism, imperialism to nuclear arms. Yet today Russell's standing has fallen dramatically. Questions have been raised about his sexual morals, his family life and his political views, and many now see him as a man who should never have stepped out of the rarified world of academia.

Liz Forgan joins Anne to talk about taking up her post as chair of the Arts Council.

The Velvet Revolution of 1989 saw off Communism in the former Czechoslovakia and put the playwright Vaclav Havel as President. Twenty years on, Anne speaks to historian Mischa Glennie and to Havel's close adviser in 1989 Jiri Pehe about what happened when an artist and intellectual had to negotiate the day-to-day workings of the political machine

And critic Matt Wolf reviews the film Nine, the new musical adaptation for the screen from the director of Cabaret, starring Robert Downey Jr and Penelope Cruz.

Anne McElvoy and guests re-assess the reputation of philosopher Bertrand Russell.

Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.

The Misanthrope-jean-paul Sartre-marcus Du Sautoy-winter Rituals

20091217

Rana Mitter reviews one of the starriest of 2009's openings in the West End, as Keira Knightley, Damien Lewis and Tara Fitzgerald star in Martin Crimp's updated adaptation of Moliere's The Misanthrope.

To conclude a special series considering some of important cultural figures who have seen their reputations wither in the last decades, Rana is joined by Jonathan Ree and Andrew Hussey to re-assess the work of existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. He used his fame to become a prominent political and social campaigner, and was revered not just for his intellect but for his liberal principles. Yet since his death Sartre has come to be regarded by some as a figure of fun, a cliche of obscure and irrelevant complication whose thought has little relevance in general life. Existentialism is often dismissed and Sartre himself is criticised for being anti-feminist

Rana also talks to professor of the public understanding of science Marcus Du Sautoy, about the challenges of his role as an ambassador for the subject, particularly in the light of recent controversies in climate change research and Government targets for university research.

And finally, looking forward to Christmas and the New Year, Rana examines the role that these annual rituals of renewal play in our lives. As we reach the end of a year and a decade, anthropologist Juliette Wood and the Rev Richard Coles explore the ancient roots and contemporary relevance of the annual winter jamboree.

Rana Mitter discusses Moliere's The Misanthrope and re-assesses Jean-Paul Sartre.

Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Bertholt Brecht	20091214	Special Night Waves series considering some of important cultural figures who have seen their reputations wither in the last decades. In the face of the collapse of communism, lurid biographical revelation, the authority of feminism and time itself, these grand male voices have seen their intellectual influence diminish - or even collapse. Philip Dodd and guests offer a re-appraisal of the work and influence of the great German dramatist Bertolt Brecht. Once considered to be the essence of radical drama, his plays and productions were considered models of modernity, intellectual insight and social commentary. Yet the word Brechtian can now seem to represent to many people a production that is leaden, a message which is laboured and a design that is drab and unimaginitive. Are his political fables now fatally outdated and his dramatic techniques no longer effective? Or is it time to take the man who once bestrode the theatrical landscape of Europe and place him back at the centre of the stage? Philip Dodd and guests on the contested reputation of German dramatist Bertolt Brecht. Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.
02	Steven Moffat-dh Lawrence's Reputation-james Cameron	20091215	Matthew Sweet is joined in the studio by the new executive producer and lead writer of Doctor Who, Steven Moffat, in his first interview since taking on the role. He discusses the challenges he faces in taking on one of the BBC's most successful series. In the second in the Sacred Monsters series, analysing important cultural figures, writers Hermione Lee and Howard Jacobson re-examine the reputation of DH Lawrence. Is he still someone who can be considered a visionary writer or is his worldview, seen by some as phallocentric, now redundant in the 21st century? Film director James Cameron talks about his new 3D blockbuster Avatar. It is reported as being the most expensive film ever made and Cameron has hopes that it will change the future of cinema. Will it follow The Jazz Singer, the first 'talkie', and Toll of the Sea, the first technicolour movie as films that are either rarely watched or forgotten entirely? Neil Brand and Matt Thorne join Matthew to talk about the fate of films which pioneered new technology. Neil and Matthew have also been looking at a series of short silent films to be broadcast over Christmas on Sky Television made by directors and writers including Richard Eyre, Neil Gaiman, Roy Williams and Lucy Gannon. But is it possible to return successfully to old forms of cinema? Matthew Sweet talks to new Dr Who producer Steven Moffat and film director James Cameron. Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.
03	Bertrand Russell-liz Forgan-vaclav Havel-nine	20091216	Special Night Waves series considering some of important cultural figures who have seen their reputations wither in the last decades. Anne McElvoy and guests, incuding philosopher AC Grayling re-assess the reputation of philosopher and public intellectual Bertrand Russell who, at the time of his death in 1970, had a seemingly secure reputation as one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. First, he transformed philosophical thinking through the application of rigorous mathematical logic and then moved on to become one of the most important commentators on a range of subjects, from nationalism to communism, imperialism to nuclear arms. Yet today Russell's standing has fallen dramatically. Questions have been raised about his sexual morals, his family life and his political views, and many now see him as a man who should never have stepped out of the rarified world of academia. Liz Forgan joins Anne to talk about taking up her post as chair of the Arts Council. The Velvet Revolution of 1989 saw off Communism in the former Czechoslovakia and put the playwright Vaclav Havel as President. Twenty years on, Anne speaks to historian Mischa Glennie and to Havel's close adviser in 1989 Jiri Pehe about what happened when an artist and intellectual had to negotiate the day-to-day workings of the political machine And critic Matt Wolf reviews the film Nine, the new musical adaptation for the screen from the director of Cabaret, starring Robert Downey Jr and Penelope Cruz. Anne McElvoy and guests re-assess the reputation of philosopher Bertrand Russell. Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.
04	The Misanthrope-jean-paul Sartre-marcus Du Sautoy-winter Rituals	20091217	Rana Mitter reviews one of the starriest of 2009's openings in the West End, as Keira Knightley, Damien Lewis and Tara Fitzgerald star in Martin Crimp's updated adaptation of Moliere's The Misanthrope. To conclude a special series considering some of important cultural figures who have seen their reputations wither in the last decades, Rana is joined by Jonathan Ree and Andrew Hussey to re-assess the work of existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. He used his fame to become a prominent political and social campaigner, and was revered not just for his intellect but for his liberal principles. Yet since his death Sartre has come to be regarded by some as a figure of fun, a cliche of obscure and irrelevant complication whose thought has little relevance in general life. Existentialism is often dismissed and Sartre himself is criticised for being anti-feminist Rana also talks to professor of the public understanding of science Marcus Du Sautoy, about the challenges of his role as an ambassador for the subject, particularly in the light of recent controversies in climate change research and Government targets for university research. And finally, looking forward to Christmas and the New Year, Rana examines the role that these annual rituals of renewal play in our lives. As we reach the end of a year and a decade, anthropologist Juliette Wood and the Rev Richard Coles explore the ancient roots and contemporary relevance of the annual winter jamboree. Rana Mitter discusses Moliere's The Misanthrope and re-assesses Jean-Paul Sartre. Radio 3's flagship arts programme until 2013. Over 350 editions available in the archive.