Marco Polo; Behind the scenes at Nutcracker; Manakamana; The Christmas Truce in art
Tom Holland reviews Marco Polo on TV, behind the scenes at English National Ballet's Nutcracker, Manakamana reviewed, and the First World War's Christmas truce in art.
Historian Tom Holland delivers his verdict on a new TV drama series charting the life of adventurer Marco Polo.
As English National Ballet prepares to stage its Christmas stalwart, Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, Samira Ahmed visits the company's warehouse in Kent to meet the team behind the scenes.
With the approach of the centenary of the WWI Christmas truce on the Western Front, playwright Phil Porter, whose new play at the RSC dramatises the truce, and historian Emily Mayhew discuss how the remarkable events of the day have been represented in culture.
And Ryan Gilbey reviews a new documentary film Manakamana, shot entirely in a cable-car high above Nepal.
Producer Craig Smith.
Last on
![]()
Gallery: Nutcracker
Images from the English National Ballet production
Chapters
Marco Polo
Duration: 04:26
Nutcracker
Duration: 08:46
The Christmas Truce
Duration: 09:46
Manakamana
Duration: 04:49
Marco Polo
![Marco Polo]()
Marco Polo is available to watch on Netflix from Friday 12 December.
Picture above and left: Phil Bray/Netflix
Nutcracker
![Nutcracker]()
Nutcracker from English National Ballet is at the London Coliseum until 4 January 2015.
Picture: credit Annabel Moeller.
The Christmas Truce
![The Christmas Truce]()
The Christmas Truce is at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon until 31 January 2015.
Picture from the RSC’s The Christmas Truce production. Photo by Topher McGrillis, © RSC.
What really happened in the Christmas truce of 1914? Read the BBC iWonder article about the history behind the myth.
Manakamana
![Manakamana]()
Manakamana is in cinemas from Friday 12 December, certificate U.
Credits
Role Contributor Interviewed Guest Tom Holland Interviewed Guest Samira Ahmed Interviewed Guest Phil Porter Interviewed Guest Emily Mayhew Interviewed Guest Ryan Gilbey Producer Craig Smith Broadcast
- Wed 10 Dec 201419:15BBC Radio 4
Featured in...
![]()
Archive 2014—Front Row
Magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music.
BBC Arts Digital
The best of British culture live and on demand.
Inspire
A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.
Podcast
![]()
Front Row
Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music
Related Content
