Act Your Age

Mary’s exploration of the world of arts and culture continues this week as she asks, why do we have to act our age? And what happens when we don’t? How does age-blind casting, like Ian McKellen in a new production of Hamlet, change the way we perceive creative work? Former Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh has written a play she can perform for the rest of her life – Mary finds out why. Author Lionel Shriver, whose new novel is about a married medical couple who vow to help each other die when they reach 80, explores why her characters change their minds as they age. And if what we wear reflects our age, what does Mary’s love of trainers say about her? Britain’s best loved classicist visits a new sneaker exhibition with cultural historian and fashion expert Shahidha Bari, and together they try on some of the more unusual pairs.