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Irvine Welsh, Billie Holiday, Des Bishop

The best global arts coverage from across the 大象传媒.

We interview writer Irvine Welsh about his new novel A Decent Ride, about a political hurricane in his native Scotland.

We explore the world of stand-up comedy in China with Des Bishop.

Nigerian super group P Square talk about the release their new album Double Trouble.

The Zar, a traditional exorcism in Egypt, is now being performed as musical entertainment. We hear about Mazaher鈥檚 Band, popular performers of the genre.

Drones used in warfare is the subject of two new films, Good Kill and the documentary Drone. We hear from both directors.

Pop-Up Opera tell us about re-imaging classic opera in venues such as tunnels under rivers and mines. Where does the piano go?

Moscow鈥檚 Teatr.doc ran documentary-style plays challenging Russian culture. After a raid last year, the theatre shut down but has reopened in new premises. Lucy Ash attends re-opening night.

Born 100 years ago last week in 1915, we bring together jazz musicians and a biographer to reflect on the music of Billie Holiday.

(Photo: Irvine Welsh (c) Ian Gavan/Getty, Billie Holiday (c) Hulton Archive, Des Bishop (c) Mark Rickards/大象传媒)

50 minutes

Last on

Mon 20 Apr 2015 08:05GMT

Music and featured items

  • P-Square

    Collabo

  • Gat D茅cor

    Passion

  • Nero

    Me and You

  • Sa Dingding

    Alive

  • Oi Va Voi

    Travelling The Face of The Globe

  • Carousel

    Nadia Girl

  • Billie Holiday

    Fine and Mellow

  • ARC

    Altitude

  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Don Pasquale Overture

  • Irvine Welsh

    The Scottish writer tells James Naughtie about his latest novel

    Duration: 05:21

  • Stand Up For China

    Des Bishop's documentary about the comedy scene in China

    Duration: 06:39

  • P Square

    Interview with the Nigerian R & B stars, Peter and Paul Okoye

    Duration: 05:07

  • Egyptian Zar Music

    Zeinab Hussein reports from Cairo

    Duration: 05:51

  • Drones

    We speak to the directors of two new films about drone warfare

    Duration: 09:23

  • Pop-Up Opera

    Clementine Lovell and Berrak Dyer talk about what makes their opera company different

    Duration: 06:06

  • Teatr.doc

    Lucy Ash goes to Moscow to see the drama groups new home

    Duration: 04:48

  • Billie Holiday

    A tribute to the legendary jazz singer who was born a hundred years ago.

    Duration: 06:11

Broadcasts

  • Sat 18 Apr 2015 11:05GMT
  • Mon 20 Apr 2015 08:05GMT