17/12/2011

Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.

In 2006 he was 'Pedantic and Whimsical', but this year, Perrier Award-nominated Irish comedian Ed Byrne's critically acclaimed show was a 'Crowd Pleaser' and is now available on DVD. Ed tells Clive what it takes to tickle the ribs and appease a room full of hecklers.

Prize-winning author Adam Nicolson talks about his book 'The Gentry: Stories of the English'. Telling the real story of England, it focuses on fourteen families, from the medieval gung-ho of the Plumpton family to the high-seas adventures of the Lascelles in the 18th century and is a wonderful sweep of English history.

All aboard The Swallow! Jo Bunting talks to The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon about writing songs for the musical play 'Swallows And Amazons' at London's Vaudeville Theatre. Based on the much-loved book by Arthur Ransome, Neil's songs accompany Captain John and his crew, embarking on an exotic adventure capturing dastardly pirates and defeating mortal enemies.

Bonafide member of The IT Crowd, Katherine Parkinson explains her new role as Conceptiva Secret-Past, the on-screen wife of Robert Webb, purveyor of miscellaneous odd things in BBC Two's 'The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff'. It's a tale of hidden wills, brave urchins, giant clocks, misery, joy and treacle!

Bringing some funk and rhythm into the Loose Ends studio is soulful Nigerian Xantoné Blacq who performs 'Mama Won't Listen' from his album 'Revelation'.

And the magnificent singer-songwriter Ed Harcourt gives us an exclusive rendition of his his brand new song 'El Magnifico'.

Producer: Cathie Mahoney.