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Noah; Rachel Seiffert; Royal Opera House season launch; Phyllida Barlow

Arts news, interviews and reviews with John Wilson, including a review of Noah, author Rachel Seiffert, artist Phyllida Barlow and the launch of the new Royal Opera House season.

With John Wilson

Director Darren Aronofsky's latest film, Noah, is a contemporary take on the Hollywood biblical epic - starring Russell Crowe as the Old Testament patriarch who organises the construction of a vast ship, and Anthony Hopkins as his grandfather, Methuselah. However, Aronofsky's Noah is no saint, but a flawed husband and father. Briony Hanson, the British Council's Director of Film, reviews.

Rachel Seiffert's latest novel, The Walk Home, looks at sectarian tensions in Glasgow through the eyes of Stevie, a young worker on a building site, and - a generation back - Lindsey, his Irish mother who left her family to run her own life and Stevie's uncle Eric, who ran away for love. Rachel herself is half-German, and talks to John about family tensions.

Alex Beard discusses his first season launch in his role as Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House. Having spent six months in the role he discusses creative plans - which includes seven opera and ballet world premieres - and the challenges that lie ahead.

The sculptor Phyllida Barlow shows John Wilson her latest work, dock 2014, which has been commissioned for the Tate Britain's Duveen Galleries. The artwork is made up of seven different sculptures and is inspired by the Tate's location by the river Thames. Phyllida Barlow discusses creating vast sculptures from everyday materials and directing a team of expert riggers to install her work.

Produced by Ella-mai Robey.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Noah

    Briony Hanson, the British Council's Director of Film, reviews Noah

    Duration: 04:46

  • Clusters of Light

    Richard Lindsay creative director discusses his production, Clusters of Light in the UAE

    Duration: 03:49

  • The Walk Home

    Rachel Seiffert discusses her latest novel The Walk Home and family tensions

    Duration: 08:20

  • dock 2014

    The sculptor Phyllida Barlow shows John Wilson her latest work, dock 2014

    Duration: 06:10

  • Royal Opera House

    Alex Beard discusses his first season launch as Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House

    Duration: 04:51

Royal Opera House, 2014-2015

Royal Opera House, 2014-2015

The Royal Opera House new season has been announced, from Monday 1 September 2014 until Monday 31 August 2015, see their website for further details.

 

Image: Eva-Maria Westbroek as Anna Nicole Smith in Anna Nicole, the opera by Mark-Anthony Turnage

Photo Credit: Bill Cooper

Noah

Noah is released in UK cinemas on Friday 4 April 2014, certificate 12A.

The Walk Home

The Walk Home

The Walk Home written by Rachel Seiffert is published by Virago on Thursday 3 April 2014.

 

Photo credit: Charlie Hopkinson

Phyllida Barlow

The Tate Britain Commission 2014: Phyllida Barlow is on at the Tate Britain, London from Monday 31 March until Sunday 19 October 2014.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Briony Hanson
Interviewed Guest Rachel Seiffert
Interviewed Guest Alex Beard
Interviewed Guest Phyllida Barlow
Producer Ella-mai Robey

Broadcast

  • Mon 31 Mar 2014 19:15

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