大象传媒

The Writer's Dickens

Alexander McCall Smith - Episodic Writing

Writer Alexander McCall Smith salutes Charles Dickens's mastery of the episodic form.

• 15 mins

The Writer's Dickens

Justin Cartwright - Christmas

Justin Cartwright reflects on the place that Christmas occupies in Charles Dickens's work.

• 15 mins

British War Films of the 50s

The Cruel Sea

Simon Heffer on the film The Cruel Sea, about the price of victory in World War Two.

• 15 mins

British War Films of the 50s

The Colditz Story

Simon Heffer discusses the film The Colditz Story, which celebrated British resilience.

• 15 mins

British War Films of the 50s

The Dam Busters

Simon Heffer discusses the depiction of British heroism in the film The Dam Busters.

• 15 mins

British War Films of the 50s

Carve Her Name with Pride

Writer Simon Heffer celebrates the 1958 film Carve Her Name with Pride.

• 15 mins

British War Films of the 50s

Dunkirk

Simon Heffer on one of the last and best-loved films of the post WWII era: Dunkirk.

• 15 mins

The Sound and the Fury

Episode 1

Andrew Martin explains 'phonophobia' and the strange measures he takes to banish it.

• 15 mins

The Sound and the Fury

Episode 2

Andrew Martin laments 'piped music' and what he considers to be its worsening quality.

• 15 mins

The Sound and the Fury

Episode 3

Andrew Martin on his boyhood love of train travel and noises on public transport today.

• 15 mins

The Sound and the Fury

Episode 4

Andrew Martin looks to the skies, to those rumblings that always discombobulate him.

• 15 mins

The Sound and the Fury

Episode 5

Andrew Martin describes how in order to escape noise, he goes on a retreat in Essex.

• 15 mins

Happily Ever After

Anthony Horowitz

Anthony Horowitz explores family dysfunction through Roald Dahl's Matilda.

• 15 mins

Happily Ever After

Anne Fine

Anne Fine gives a feminist view of the nostalgia for our favourite childhood books.

• 15 mins

Happily Ever After

Trish Cooke

Trish Cooke explores the importance of children's books reflecting different cultures.

• 15 mins

Happily Ever After

Michael Rosen

Michael Rosen considers the changing role of the family in children's literature.

• 15 mins

On Directing

Roger Michell

Roger Michell on emotions that go with starting a film, as he makes Hyde Park on Hudson.

• 15 mins

On Directing

Emma Rice

Kneehigh Theatre's Emma Rice explores the director's role as a storyteller.

• 15 mins

On Directing

Bartlett Sher

Bartlett Sher examines the importance of rhythm when creating theatre.

• 15 mins

On Directing

Josie Rourke

Josie Rourke looks at what happens when things go wrong in the production of a play.

• 15 mins

On Directing

Mike Figgis

Film director Mike Figgis reflects on the hard lessons he learned in Hollywood.

• 15 mins

An Informal History of the Male Nude

Edith Hall

Edith Hall reflects on the meaning of the male nude in the art of the ancient world.

• 15 mins

An Informal History of the Male Nude

Partha Mitter

Partha Mitter explores the meaning of the male nude in the visual art of the subcontinent.

• 15 mins

An Informal History of the Male Nude

Gabriel Gbadamosi

Gabriel Gbadamosi considers the meaning of the male nude in African art.

• 15 mins

An Informal History of the Male Nude

Matthew Sweet

Matthew Sweet reflects on the male nude in Renaissance and Victorian art.

• 15 mins

An Informal History of the Male Nude

Sarah Kent

Critic Sarah Kent contemplates the place of the male nude in contemporary art.

• 15 mins

Wild Things II

Wild Ponies

Ruth Padel explores how history and literature have shaped our reactions to wild ponies.

• 15 mins

Wild Things II

The Owl

Ruth Padel on what owls mean to us and what they can show about the British landscape.

• 15 mins

Wild Things II

Wild Salmon

Ruth Padel explores the wild salmon's extraordinary life and its impact on humans.

• 15 mins

Wild Things II

The Squirrel

Ruth Padel explores our feelings towards squirrels in biology, history and literature.

• 15 mins