23 June 2008
Monday 23 June 2008 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
Matthew Sweet presents the arts and ideas programme.
Playlist
Philosophers
Gabriel Gbadamosi asks what role philosophers play in our culture, as a new list of public intellectuals is published.
British philosophers rarely top such lists, unlike other countries such as France, where philosophising is key to political and public life.
Guests, including AC Grayling, help Gabriel map out the differing roles and responsibilities of the contemporary philosopher, as well as our changing expectations of them.
A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures
Also, Gabriel is joined by film-maker Jane Treays to give the verdict on a new documentary which blends fact with potential fiction.
A Complete History of My Sexual Failures sees director and protagonist Chris Waitt going back to old girlfriends in a quest to discover why they dumped him. As many of them won't talk, he simply reconstructs scenes, and tells his side of the story. Jane and Gabriel discuss what kind of new documentary ethics are being forged by films such as this.
Amy Rosenthal
Plus - an interview with playwright Amy Rosenthal, daughter of the acclaimed writer Jack Rosenthal and the actress Maureen Lipman. Her play, On The Rocks, tackles the real-life attempts by DH Lawrence and Katherine Mansfield, amongst others, to create an 'alternative existence' in a remote Cornish village.
And Peter Stanford reflects on the continuing significance of a little-known nineteenth century kidnapping which sent shockwaves through Catholic and Jewish communities.
