Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Patricia Cornwell, Blick Bassy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

"I have the sort of mind ... I want to take things apart" - Patricia Cornwell

An interview with the 100-million selling US crime writer Patricia Cornwell who talks about her new book Depraved Heart. This year’s Grammy nominated Zomba Prison Band, made up of inmates from one of Malawi’s prisons. We hear about the new album I Have No Everything Here. Writer James Crawford tells about Fallen Glory, his book about the aftermath of some of the world’s greatest structures from the Tower of Babel onwards. Ballroom dancing is hugely popular in Russia and we explore why this might be, together with some of the country’s – and the world’s - greatest dancers. Director JJ Abrams tells us how he went about making the most anticipated film ever, the new Star Wars. From Cameroon we discover the brilliant and charming music of Blick Bassy featuring an unlikely and original mix of cello, trombone and blues guitar.
And writer Lin Coghlan calls for World Service listeners to enter our radio playwriting competition and gives advice on storytelling.

(Photo shows: Patricia Cornwell (c) Andrew H. Walker/Getty, Blick Bassy (c) Denis Rouvre, JJ Abrahams (c) Chris Jackson/Getty)

50 minutes

Last on

Tue 29 Dec 201502:06GMT
BBC World Service Australasia

More episodes

Previous

Kylie Minogue, Annie Lennox, Tina Fey

Next

Ai Weiwei, Taylor Swift, Claudia Rankine

See all episodes from The Arts Hour

Music and featured items

  • Patricia Cornwell

    Libby Purves meets crime writer Patricia Cornwell

    Duration: 06:40

  • Malawi Prison Band

    A band from one of Malawi's prisons has secured the country's first Grammy nomination.

    Duration: 02:39

  • Strictly Russian

    What makes Russian ballroom dancers so good?

    Duration: 07:01

  • James Crawford

    In his book, Fallen Glory, Crawford looks some of the world's most iconic structures.

    Duration: 06:38

  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens

    Director J.J. Abrams discusses how he decided on his approach to the film

    Duration: 08:23

  • Blick Bassy

    The Cameroon born musician talks to Mark Coles

    Duration: 09:53

  • WS Playwriting Competition

    Your final reminder about our World Service playwriting competition

    Duration: 04:44

  • Blick Bassy

    Ake

  • Yppah

    All Shades of Pink

  • Chris Barber's Jazzband

    Original Charleston Strut

  • Jono McCleery

    This Idea Of Us

  • Disclosure

    Magnets (feat. Lorde)

  • Bookaloo

  • Try Me I'll Funk You

  • Star Wars

James Crawford

James Crawford is the Communications and Publications Manager for Scotland’s National Collection of architecture and archaeology.

Fallen Glory: The Lives and Deaths of Twenty Lost Buildings from the Tower of Babel to the Twin Towers is published by Old Street Publishing.

Stars Wars: The Force Awakens

Stars Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is in cinemas now, certificate 12A.

Image: © Lucas film 2015

The 25th International Radio Playwriting Competition

For details how to enter click here

Blick Bassy

Blick Bassy
Blick Bassy's album is called Ako and is released on the No Format! label 

Image: © Denis Rouvre

Broadcasts

  • Sun 27 Dec 201515:06GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 27 Dec 201522:06GMT
    BBC World Service West and Central Africa
  • Mon 28 Dec 201509:06GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Mon 28 Dec 201513:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Mon 28 Dec 201523:06GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Tue 29 Dec 201502:06GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia

Podcast

Related Links