Shakespeare’s tragedy is one of the finest pieces of theatre of all time. To explore the play’s enduring significance, this programme recorded work in progress on a Royal National Theatre production, directed by David Hare, with Anthony Hopkins in the title role. Some of the great Lears of the past are seen on archive film, including Olivier, Scofield and Hordern, and directors Peter Brook and Jonathan Miller discuss their acclaimed interpretations of the work.
David Puttnam
This exclusive interview with producer David Puttnam was recorded just after he shocked the film industry by resigning as head of Columbia Film Studios, eighteen months after becoming only the second non-American to hold this Position since World War II. He talks candidly about his time in Hollywood and the furore caused by his conviction that Columbia could produce films that were both profitable and meaningful.
Marguerite Duras
The distinguished French novelist and film-maker, who died in 1996, talks frankly about the hardship and romance of her childhood in Indo-China. She discusses how her early experiences have haunted her life and why she has returned to them repeatedly in her work, most notably in her best-selling novel, The Lover, which won the coveted Prix Goncourt. The programme features clips from her films and illustrated readings from her books.
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
One of the greatest sopranos of the post-war decades, Schwarzkopf won acclaim on the operatic stage and as a lieder singer. Her career was moulded by Walter Legge, an innovative British recording executive who became her husband. He guided her towards her best repertoire – Mozart and Richard Strauss. In this film, which includes rare archive footage of Schwarzkopf in performance, she talks about her life and work and is seen conducting a masterclass on Hugo Wolf songs.
Dylan Thomas
When Anthony Hopkins led a star-studded, all-Welsh cast in an audio recording of Dylan Thomas’s play for voices, Under Milk Wood, the cameras were on hand to capture the process on film. The programme visits Laugharne, the small Welsh town on which the work is based, where Thomas lived at the end of his life. It also examines his later years and the demons which drove him to create this nostalgic vision.
Two Women in three Dimensions
Despite such illustrious examples as Barbara Hepworth and Elizabeth Frink, sculpture is still commonly regarded as a masculine pursuit. This programme profiles Nicola Hicks and Wendy Taylor, two outstanding sculptresses working in Britain today, both exceptionally talented, who express themselves with humour, frankness and ease. They are seen at work, at home and, most importantly, against the backgrounds of their work.
Sir Alec Guinness
Despite the towering success of his long career as a stage, film and television actor, Sir Alec Guinness remains intensely modest about his achievements and has seldom consented to talk about his life and career. In this rare television interview, he shares his thoughts and feelings about his profession and talks about many aspects of his work – from his first performances in the theatre, to his many film appearances. Guinness is seen in action in a variety of film clips.
Domenico Scarlatti
The Italian composer and harpsichordist wrote over five hundred compositions for his pupil and patron Maria Barbara of Braganza, daughter of King John V of Portugal, who became Queen of Spain. The celebrated keyboard player George Malcolm talks in interview about this self-effacing man and demonstrates the power and originality of his work at the harpsichord. He also gives a performance of Scarlatti’s Salve Regina with the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jennifer Smith.
Siobhan Davies
Siobhan Davies is one of Britain’s most notable contemporary choreographers. This film follows her through the process of creating a piece for the highly individual dancers of the Second Stride company. The result is Silent Partners, an intensely dramatic and passionate work, which is seen both in rehearsal and in performance.
Karole Armitage
Acclaimed as one of the most exciting and accomplished dancers and choreographers of her generation, Karole Armitage presents this programme surveying her career. It features lengthy excerpts from her works plus location footage from Rhode Island, where she is seen rehearsing her ballet Romance for an American television recording. The programme also includes rare black and white archive material showing Balanchine and Merce Cunningham in rehearsal.