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The Arts Hour takes a virtual visit to Sydney, Australia, with music, comedy, a live audience and leading artists all joining Nikki Bedi to discuss the long term impact of Covid 19 on the city鈥檚 arts community, in a country that鈥檚 closed its borders to so many.

It has been 250 years since James Cook鈥檚 first voyage to Australia, which along with the Black Lives Matter movement, once again sparked debate about the treatment and representation of indigenous Australians, or First Nation People, as well as other minorities. We discuss how that has impacted the city and its arts.

Director Shannon Murphy discusses her film Babyteeth, which won in nine categories at last year鈥檚 Australian Academy Awards, including best film and best director.

Author Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad explains why it was important to put his own experiences into his novels The Lebs and The Other Half of You.

Playwright and director Wesley Enoch tells us how he鈥檚 brought indigenous arts to the fore.

There鈥檚 comedy from one of Australia鈥檚 favourite comedians, Alice Fraser.

The Artistic Director of the Sydney Festival, Olivia Ansell, takes us on a personal tour to some of the hippest venues in the city, including the Flying Nun theatre and the Red Rattler.

One of Sydney鈥檚 hottest bands, Lime Cordiale, give us a special performance of their songs Robbery and No Plans to make Plans.

And there is a live performance from the powerful First Nation rapper Barkaa, whose music was played during the Black Lives Matter protests.

Producer Andrea Kidd

This edition of The Arts Hour was recorded just before parts of Sydney went into lockdown

(Photo: Lime Cordiale, credit: Tim Swallow; Shannon Murphy, credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage via Getty Images; Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad, credit: Anna Kucera; Alice Fraser; Barkaa, credit: Tristan S Edouard; Wesley Enoch, credit: Saverio Marfia/WireImage via Getty Images; Olivia Ansell, credit: Daniel Boud.)

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