Programme Details

Augustus and Gwen John were the ultimate siblings. One extrovert and flamboyant. The other intense and self contained - except when it came for her lover the sculptor August Rodin. Michael Holroyd and the art historian Lynda Nead reflect on the passionate lives of these bohemian siblings as the first major show to exhibit their work together opens at Tate Britain this week.

The world's most famous ballerina Sylvie Guillem presents an evening of contemporary dance. Mary Allen talks to the Olivier Award winning choreographer Russell Maliphant about working with her. Plus hears as the curtain falls, Judith Mackerell give the first critical appraisal exclusively to Night Waves.

The Zulu War of 1879 was the most controversial and brutal British imperial conflict of the nineteenth century. But as historian Saul David also reveals, it had an even darker side. He peels back the layers of history to talk to Mary Allen about the real truth about the victory at Rorke's drift and draws comparisons with today.

And as Paris gets ready to celebrate La Nuit Blanche this Saturday night - when the whole of Paris from 8 at night to 8 in the morning is transformed into an art work, the French writer Marie Darrieussecq gives her vision of what she thinks Paris should really be like.



Presenter: Mary Allen
Producer: Ariane Koek


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Zulu - The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 by Saul David is published by Penguin at £20.

Gwen John and Augustus John opens at Tate Britain on 29 September and urns until 9 January 2005 .

Sylvie Guillem and the Ballet Boyz present an evening of the work of Russel Maliphant at Sadlers Wells in London until this Saturday October 2 nd . But all performances are sold out.

La Nuit Blanches is on in the streets of Paris this Saturday October 2 nd from 8pm -8am .