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Pirates of Penzance, Brighton Festival, Francois Ozon, New Culture Secretary

A review of the English National Opera's production of The Pirates of Penzance, a report from 2015's Brighton Festival and film director Francois Ozon. With Samira Ahmed.

With Samira Ahmed.

With the appointment of John Whittingdale as the new Culture Secretary, critic and writer Quentin Letts assesses what lies ahead for him in the arts.

Film maker and director Mike Leigh has made his operatic debut directing the English National Opera's production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. Peter Kemp reviews the production for Front Row.

French director Fran莽ois Ozon's films often focus on the beauty of the body, and in his latest film The New Girlfriend, the body once more takes centre stage. Following the death of his young wife, a husband and new father responds to his grief by dressing up in her clothes. Ozon reflects on the controversial subject matter of cross-dressing.

With the Brighton Festival approaching its half-way point, Samira heads to the coast to hear from this year's Guest Director - the novelist Ali Smith - and some of the artists celebrating the themes of flight and migration.

Presenter : Samira Ahmed
Producer : Dymphna Flynn.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Quentin Letts on new Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale

    Duration: 04:43

  • The Pirates of Penzance at the ENO

    Duration: 06:25

  • The 2015 Brighton Festival

    Duration: 09:07

  • Francois Ozon

    Duration: 07:24

The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance runs at the from听9 May to 4 July 2015.

Credit (c) Tristram Kenton

Fran莽ois Ozon

Fran莽ois Ozon

Film director Fran莽ois Ozon on his film, The New Girlfriend.

The New Girlfriend is released on Friday 22 May.

The 2015 Brighton Festival

The 2015 Brighton Festival

Samira heads to the to hear from some of the artists celebrating the themes of flight and migration.

The Brighton Festival runs until 24 May.

Photo: Jerome Weatherald.

John Whittingdale as Culture Secretary

Critic and writer Quentin Letts assesses what lies ahead for听the new Culture Secretary.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Samira Ahmed
Interviewed Guest Peter Kemp
Interviewed Guest Ali Smith
Interviewed Guest Fran莽ois Ozon
Interviewed Guest Quentin Letts
Producer Dymphna Flynn

Broadcast

  • Mon 11 May 2015 19:15

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