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Pricking Pomposity

In a programme about caricature, satirical jokes and 'bringing people down to size', Mark Tully talks to cartoonist Steve Bell about the purpose - and the dangers - of mockery.

Mark Tully considers the social role of mockery, the art of parody, lampoon and satire and what society gains from having its pomposity pricked.

He talks to cartoonist Steve Bell about the purpose of caricature, the hurt it may cause and the good it can do. With readings from poets Edward Bulwer Lytton and Carol Ann Duffy, and journalist Joe Queenan, along with music ranging from Beethoven to Jean Knight, this is a study in having our pomposity pricked.

The readers are Polly Frame, Francis Cadder and Jasper Britton.

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling

A Unique production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 31 Jan 2016 23:30

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Scherzo & Trio: Allegro Vivace from Symphony No.3 in E flat 'Eroica'

    • Beethoven Symphonies Complete.
    • Brilliant Classics.
  • Erich Wolfgang Korngold

    Four Little Caricatures

    • Erich Wolfgang Korngold: The Piano Music.
    • Nimbus Records.
  • Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomyzhsky

    Chervyak (The Worm)

    • Dargomyzhsky: Songs and Romances.
    • Hungaroton.
  • The KingÂ’s New Clothes

    Danny Kaye

    • Danny Kane: For Kids.
    • Naxos Nostalgia.
  • Gilbert & Sullivan

    If You're Anxious For To Shine

    • Patience.
    • London.

Readings

Title: Portrait Of The Duke of Wellington
Author: Lord Lytton
Published by: Penguin in the ‘Penguin Book of Satirical Verse’ 

Title: Julius
Author: William Shakespeare 
Published by: Wordsworth Edition

Title: Mr. Big Stuff
Label: Jean Knight
Album: Mr. Big Stuff 

Title: Base Details
Author: Siegfried Sassoon
Published by: Penguin in the Penguin Book of Satirical Verse

Broadcasts

  • Sun 31 Jan 2016 06:05
  • Sun 31 Jan 2016 23:30