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The EssayEpisodes

  1. Tomorrow21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Mad About the BoyThe Death and Life of Christopher Marlowe

    8/10Jerry Brotton explores Marlowe's taboo-breaking play Edward II.

  2. Thursday21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Becoming the StoryThe Death and Life of Christopher Marlowe

    9/10Jerry Brotton explores Kit Marlowe's last play The Massacre at Paris.

  3. Friday21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The ReckoningThe Death and Life of Christopher Marlowe

    10/10Jerry Brotton returns to Deptford to investigate the claims that Kit Marlowe was murdered.

  4. Next Monday21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    1. Let Those Bugs SingThe Insect Singers

    The Essay celebrates the sheer musicality and beautiful noise of Earth’s insect singers.

  5. Next Tuesday21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    2. Katydids - All Night LongThe Insect Singers

    The Essay celebrates the musicality of Earth’s insect singers.

  6. Next Wednesday21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    3. Cicada Summer SongThe Insect Singers

    The Essay hears the musicality and noise of Earth’s insect singers.

  7. Thu 7 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    4. Autumn Cricket SongThe Insect Singers

    The Essay celebrates the musicality of Earth’s insect singers.

  8. Fri 8 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    5. Good Vibrations - TreehoppersThe Insect Singers

    The Insect Singers' final trill. 5. Good Vibrations - Treehoppers with Rex Cocroft.

  9. Mon 11 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    1. Becoming David MunrowDavid Munrow - The Pied Piper

    1/5This series reveals how David Munrow changed how Britain listened to music.

  10. Tue 12 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    2. Popularising Early MusicDavid Munrow - The Pied Piper

    2/5Popularising Early Music in the 1960s made David Munrow a controversial figure, but why?

  11. Wed 13 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    3. The amorous fluteDavid Munrow - The Pied Piper

    3/5For David Munrow, a musical maverick of the 1960s, the flute became a world of adventure.

  12. Thu 14 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    4. Radio 3's Pied Piper seriesDavid Munrow - The Pied Piper

    4/5What made David Munrow's long-running children's programmes so popular in the 1970s?

  13. Fri 15 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    5. Leaving a legacyDavid Munrow - The Pied Piper

    5/5The sound of David Munrow's music for now.

  14. Mon 18 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Recasting Ella: PhilanthropistFull Moon on Progress St

    Dr Rommi Smith examines a turning-point moment in the life of five Black female musicians.(R)

  15. Tue 19 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Big Mama Thornton’s Ball and ChainFull Moon on Progress St

    Dr Rommi Smith examines a turning-point moment in the life of five Black female musicians.(R)

  16. Wed 20 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Billie Holliday in Love at MoMAFull Moon on Progress St

    Dr Rommi Smith examines a turning-point moment in the life of five Black female musicians.(R)

  17. Thu 21 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Nina Simone’s Political RomanceFull Moon on Progress St

    Dr Rommi Smith examines a turning-point moment in the life of five Black female musicians.(R)

  18. Fri 22 May 202621:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Billie Holiday: Strange FruitFull Moon on Progress St

    Dr Rommi Smith examines a turning-point moment in the life of five Black female musicians.(R)