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Television and Radio Radio waves
Five minutes with… Jean Marsh
The precursor to Downton Abbey was of course Upstairs, Downstairs which along with House of Eliot became a British institution that continues to be fondly remembered today. Actress Jean Marsh co-created both series, and starred as Rose Buck in the original Upstairs, Downstairs, as well as in its recent revival on our screens. She talks about her career on the small screen as well as her turn-of-the-century novel Fiennders Abbey (L389, Sunday 16 October 16, 4.30pm).
E-reader or traditional book? I read traditional books - why, because I like books, bookshelves and book shops. Read the book or watch the film? I would read the book and then possibly watch the film.
What is it like for an actor to play the same character for decades? With more than 16,000 episodes broadcast, BBC Radio Four’s The Archers is the world’s longest running soap and still attracts audiences of over five million. Cheltenham Festival explores the continuing appeal of this rural drama with Editor Vanessa Whitburn, and long-serving cast members Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge), Felicity Finch (Ruth Archer) and Tim Bentinck (David Archer). It will be chaired by Eddie Mair (L392, Sunday 16 October, 6pm). Rabbi Lionel Blue is probably the most well-known of Radio Four’s Thought for The Day team. He appears twice at this year’s Festival, dispensing wisdom and wit in equal measure, whilst provoking us to think about the spiritual in our lives. He joins us to discuss his extraordinary
What book should everyone read? I am not going to answer that it is too authoritarian! What’s your favourite book? It is The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford. Which other Festival event would you like to attend? I would like to attend Jeremy Paxman’s Empire. Which Festival speaker would you most like to meet? I would like to have dinner with Simon Hopkinson anytime.
life and the importance of his faith to him (L150, Monday 10 October, 8.45pm) and also the contemplative urge that all of us have but is often suppressed by our hectic contemporary lives. For this second talk he is joined by Father Christopher Jamison, the Abbot from BBC TV’s The Monastery to discuss how - in a personal and practical way some of our great religious traditions can show the way to a more contemplative, and fulfilling life (L187, Tuesday 11 October, 8.45pm).
Strictly Come Dancing
Period Drama
Arlene Phillips
Downton Abbey has captured the imagination of the nation, and has become the benchmark for quality drama, and a commentary on all things British. As the hit series returns to our screens, we explore The World of Downton Abbey with author Jessica Fellowes, Oscarwinning screenwriter and series creator Julian Fellowes, actor Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley) and executive producer Gareth Neame (L106, Sunday 9 October, 6.30pm). And, as Downton Abbey-mania grips television viewers once again this autumn,
we ask: What was the reality of life in the great Edwardian country house? Cheltenham’s expert panel Lucinda Lambton (Palaces for Pigs), Dan Cruickshank (The Country House Revealed) and Jeremy Musson (Up and Down Stairs) explore the myths and realities of this carefully constructed and intimate hierarchy (L285, Friday14 October, 2pm).
Celebrate the transforming power of dance in a discussion with three individuals who have each had dazzling careers in this demanding field. Ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips shot to fame as the founder of the dance group Hot Gossip and is a hit-making West End choreographer.
Robert Hardy
Creation to Criticism Lounging in a darkened room with a remote control appears an enviable way to earn a crust. Grace Dent (The Guardian), Andrew Billen (The Times) and Alison Graham (Radio Times) join Kirsty Lang and Kate Harwood (BBC Drama Head of Series and Serials) to discuss what it is really like to watch television for a living. How does a critic choose what to write about, and do the makers of television programmes regard critics as friends, or armchair assassins? (L055, Saturday 8th October, 4pm) Columnist and author Grace Dent actually joined Twitter as a place to rant about rubbish TV, but she soon found herself consumed by the social network phenomenon. Along with Caitlin Moran she takes a hilarious look at what’s really going on in Twitterworld and the influence it has on our lives (L070, Saturday 8 October, 8.45pm). The writers of such classic shows as Hancock’s Half Hour, Comedy Playhouse and
Steptoe and Son, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson are the fathers of British sitcom. They look back at their long comedy collaboration in conversation with author Christopher Stevens, editor of a new collection of their scripts and sketches: The Masters of Sitcom (L208, Wednesday 12 October, 2pm).
Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova are the most successful professional couple ever on Strictly Come Dancing, and are the stars and choreographers of the hit show Latin Fever. They are currently involved in the new government initiative Essentially Dance, bringing dance to school children in the UK (L340, Saturday 15 October, 4pm). Arlene has also written a children’s series, Alana Dancing Star. Full of magic, glamour, glitter and loveable characters; every book is a different dance spectacular. Children can hear the stories and see the dance steps with real dancers. (LB61, Saturday 15 October, 1.30pm).
Sound Bites
What are you currently reading? I am currently re-reading Patrick Leigh-Fermor’s A Time of Gifts. After reading the many wonderful obituaries about him I was prompted to read it again.
Lionel Blue
Robert Hardy is one of our most distinctive and best-loved actors, whose extensive career spanning over 40 years takes in some of the most iconic screen and television productions of our time. From All Creatures Great and Small to Churchill: The Wilderness Years (for which he won a BAFTA) and Harry Potter, he discusses his extraordinary career (L050, Saturday, 8 October, 2pm).
Adam Henson: Countryfile BBC1’s hugely popular Countryfile visits the most beautiful places in the British countryside and the people who make it special, as well as investigating rural and environmental issues. Here Cotswold farmer Adam Henson (Adam’s Farm) shares fond memories and fascinating insights into British country life (L369, Sunday 16 October 16, 11am).
Sue Johnston
Mugabe and The White African
Caitlin Moran
Acclaimed documentary Mugabe and the White African produced by Gloucestershire and Wales-based Arturi Films won the Royal Television Society’s Best Documentary Award, and was nominated for a BAFTA. In celebration of this local success story David Pearson and Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock discuss the extraordinary true story behind the film, accompanied by some gripping clips (L190, Tuesday 11 October 11, 8.45pm).
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Familiar from her roles in Brookside, The Royle Family and Waking The Dead, Sue Johnston is one of our most versatile and popular actresses. With her autobiography Things I Couldn’t Tell My Mother just out, Sue reminisces about her Liverpudlian childhood, her distinguished acting career - and exactly what it was she couldn’t tell her mother (L258, Thursday 13 October, 6.30pm).