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Blacking-up in opera, How to watch Shakespeare, Fiona Kidman, Carlos Cruz-Diez

Soprano Tamara Wilson on blacking-up in opera, How to watch Shakespeare for wary novices, Fiona Kidman's novel: This Mortal Boy and Kinetic art pioneer Carlos Cruz-Diez

American opera singer, Tamara Wilson withdrew from her final ever performance of Aida at the weekend. She was scheduled to be conducted by Placido Domingo at the Arena Di Verona but announced on Instagram that her absence was due to illness. But it comes after her public opposition to the use of ‘blackface’ for the role - heavy "chocolate brown" make-up. Tamara speaks out about the incident and why she feels the industry and Aida needs to change.

New Zealand writer Fiona Kidman discusses her new novel This Mortal Boy, based on the true story of a young Northern Irishman, Albert Black, who emigrated to Wellington in 1953 to seek work. Just two years later at the age of 20 he was facing the prospect of execution by hanging after an incident in a café that led him to be described as the ‘Jukebox Killer’.

Some people just dread Shakespeare; they never 'bond' with him. Sean Allsop has always felt alienated by The Bard whilst simultaneously feeling that maybe he is missing out. So we sent him along to the home of authentic Shakespeare productions - London's Globe Theatre - to ask the experts and find out how a novice should approach Shakespeare for the first time with a production of Henry IV part 1.

Kinetic art pioneer Carlos Cruz-Diez has died in Paris at the age of 95

Presenter: Samira Ahmed, Producer: Oliver Jones

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28 minutes

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Henry IV at the Globe

Henry IV at the Globe

Henry IV Part 1 is playing at the globe until 11th October 

Image: Sarah Amankwah, ´óÏó´«Ã½ reporter Sean Allsop and Steffan Donnelly (from left to right).

Fiona Kidman

Fiona Kidman

Fiona Kidman’s book This Mortal Boy is out in paperback from 1 August.  

Image: Fiona Kidman

Credit: Robert Cross

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  • Mon 29 Jul 2019 19:15

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