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Madonna in the UK; Simon Russell Beale in Timon of Athens

Mark Lawson discusses Madonna's MDNA show as it reaches the UK, Simon Russell Beale in Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, a tale of greed and debt, plus poet Julia Copus.

With Mark Lawson.

Madonna's MDNA world tour arrived in the UK last night, including new live versions of three decades worth of hits, performed with dancers, flying drummers, tightrope walkers, cheerleaders and a Basque folk trio. Rosie Swash assesses whether Madonna still commands the stage.

Simon Russell Beale takes the title role in Timon of Athens, in a new National Theatre production of Shakespeare's tale of conspicuous consumption, debt and corruption. Andrew Rawnsley reviews.

The World's Two Smallest Humans is the title of the new collection of poetry by Julia Copus. The poems cover a range of subjects from music to the classics, and the collection features a series of personal poems on the subject of IVF, a process Julia Copus underwent without success.

Iranian-born Mahan Esfahani gave the first ever harpsichord recital in the history of the 大象传媒 Proms last year. This Saturday he returns with The Academy of Ancient Music to perform his own orchestration of Bach's keyboard masterpiece, The Art of Fugue. He talks about collaboration, authenticity and adapting things on the spot.

Producer Claire Bartleet.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Madonna鈥檚 MDNA tour

    Rosie Swash reviews Madonna's MDNA world tour.

    Duration: 06:26

  • Timon of Athens

    Andrew Rawnsley reviews National Theatre鈥檚 production of Timon of Athens.

    Duration: 06:04

  • Julia Copus

    Interview with poet, Julia Copus.

    Duration: 09:21

  • Mahan Esfahani

    Interview with harpsichordist and organist Mahan Esfahani.

    Duration: 07:26

Broadcast

  • Wed 18 Jul 2012 19:15

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