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Marco Polo; Behind the scenes at Nutcracker; Manakamana; The Christmas Truce in art

Tom Holland reviews Marco Polo on TV, behind the scenes at English National Ballet's Nutcracker, Manakamana reviewed, and the First World War's Christmas truce in art.

Historian Tom Holland delivers his verdict on a new TV drama series charting the life of adventurer Marco Polo.

As English National Ballet prepares to stage its Christmas stalwart, Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, Samira Ahmed visits the company's warehouse in Kent to meet the team behind the scenes.

With the approach of the centenary of the WWI Christmas truce on the Western Front, playwright Phil Porter, whose new play at the RSC dramatises the truce, and historian Emily Mayhew discuss how the remarkable events of the day have been represented in culture.

And Ryan Gilbey reviews a new documentary film Manakamana, shot entirely in a cable-car high above Nepal.

Producer Craig Smith.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Marco Polo

    Duration: 04:26

  • Nutcracker

    Duration: 08:46

  • The Christmas Truce

    Duration: 09:46

  • Manakamana

    Duration: 04:49

Marco Polo

Marco Polo

is available to watch on Netflix from Friday 12 December.

Picture above and left: Phil Bray/Netflix


Nutcracker

Nutcracker

from English National Ballet is at the London Coliseum until 4 January 2015.

Picture: credit Annabel Moeller.

The Christmas Truce

The Christmas Truce

is at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon until 31 January 2015.

Picture from the RSC鈥檚 The Christmas Truce production. Photo by Topher McGrillis, 漏 RSC.聽

Read the 大象传媒 iWonder article about the history behind the myth.


Manakamana

Manakamana

聽is in cinemas from Friday 12 December, certificate U.


Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Tom Holland
Interviewed Guest Samira Ahmed
Interviewed Guest Phil Porter
Interviewed Guest Emily Mayhew
Interviewed Guest Ryan Gilbey
Producer Craig Smith

Broadcast

  • Wed 10 Dec 2014 19:15

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