Arena
781 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsIrish podcast exploring what's happening in the world of arts, culture and entertainment. Listen live every weeknight on RTÉ Radio 1 from 7-8pm. Listen to individual clips at rte.ie/arena. Presented by Sean Rocks.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Ruth Negga - Small Things Like These - The Waterford Poetry Prize
October 26, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutesRuth Negga on her latest role in Passing, the film tells the story of two black women, who can "pass" as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the colour line, Sinéad Gleeson reviews 'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan, Colm Keegan, judge of the Waterford Poetry Prize & Ingrid Casey, the overall winner.
Wexford Opera Festival - Daniel Moult - Album reviews
October 22, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutesThe 47th Saturday a short opera by composer, Andrew Synnott, Pipeworks continues this week with a concert from Daniel Moult, Album reviews with Andrea Cleary & Simon Maher, from Self Esteem, the experimental pop project of British musician, singer & songwriter, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Lana Del Rey, Biffy Clyro.
Film reviews - Emmet Kirwan - Invasion
October 21, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesRuth Barton & Donald Clarke review films, from Dune with Timothee Chalamet to Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch, Straight to Video is a new comedy by Emmet Kirwan set in Tallaght in 1995 in a video shop, Civic Theatre from October 28th, directed by Philly McMahon, Chris Wasser reviews Invasion, a new sci-fi series starring Sam Neill.
Gavan Ring - Dublin Theatre Festival Review
October 20, 2021 12:00 - 41 minutesIrish tenor Gavan Ring has put together a gala concert in conjunction with the Daniel O’Connell Summer School, Liberation takes place this Saturday, critics Helen Meany and Peter Crawley look back at five of the shows they have seen at Dublin Theatre Festival. From Anu's Book of Names to Phillip McMahon’s play Once Before I Go at the Gate.
West Side Story - Impreachment - Krapp’s Last Tape
October 19, 2021 12:00 - 47 minutesSix decades on, West Side Story remains unrivalled, Jamie Bernstein, author of the book, Famous Father Girl, talks about the impact of her father Leonard Bernstein, Lise Hand reviews American Crime Story: Impeachment, Krapp’s Last Tape is one of Samuel Beckett’s best-loved plays, Denis Conway on appearing at the Everyman Theatre in the iconic role
West Side Story - Impreachment - Krapp’s Last Tape
October 19, 2021 12:00 - 47 minutesSix decades on, West Side Story remains unrivalled, Jamie Bernstein, author of the book, Famous Father Girl, talks about the impact of her father Leonard Bernstein, Lise Hand reviews American Crime Story: Impeachment, Krapp’s Last Tape is one of Samuel Beckett’s best-loved plays, Denis Conway on appearing at the Everyman Theatre in the iconic role
The Map - Vincent Dubois - Album reviews
October 18, 2021 12:00 - 46 minutesThe Map is a monumental new textile by artists Alice Maher & Rachel Fallon, at Rua Red Gallery in Tallaght, the duo has created a world that is sewn, painted & crocheted, Vincent Dubois holds the prestigious position of Titulaire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Zara Hedderman & John Meagher review new music, Coldplay, Joy Crookes, Finneas.
Brendan Kennelly and Máire Mhac an tSaoi Tribute
October 18, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesSeán Rocks is joined by Chris Morash, poet John O’Donnell and Brendan Kennelly’s publisher and friend Neil Astley in celebrating the life and work of Brendan Kennelly and a celebration of the life and work of the influential Irish language poet, Máire Mhac an tSaoi with Louis De Paor, Moya Cannon and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin.
Film reviews - The Velvet Underground - Kit Downes
October 14, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutesCara O'Doherty & Paul Whitington review the latest films, The Last Duel, Venom & Arracht, Paul McLoone previews Todd Haynes' new documentary about The Velvet Underground premieres on Apple TV+, Fans of jazz music, and experimentalism in sound, can see Kit Downes on tour from next week, as he brings his quartet on a short tour around Ireland.
Succession - Conor Hanratty - Jade Phoenix - Brian Fay
October 13, 2021 12:00 - 45 minutesJenn Gannon on the return of Succession, Shakespeare is the theme of the 70th Wexford Festival Opera, who better to direct a Shakespeare inspired opera than Conor Hanratty, Soprano Jade Phoenix will be performing in the opera, A mobile living thing is a new exhibition of drawings by artist Brian Fay, now on at the Municipal Gallery, Dun Laoghaire.
Paddy Moloney Tribute
October 12, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutesThe sad news today of the passing of Paddy Moloney, founder of The Chieftains. Donal Lunny, Peadar Ó Riada, Seán Óg Potts, Moya Brennan, Andrea Corr, Cathy Jordan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Imelda May, Aoife Nic Cormaic and Seán Ó Sé join Seán Rocks in celebrating the life and music of Paddy Moloney.
In the Echo - Laetha Sona - Trust - Arts and Human Rights Festival
October 11, 2021 12:00 - 45 minutesIn The Echo: Field Recordings From Earlsfort Terrace is a new album from Ross Turner featuring 16 artists incl. Lisa Hannigan & Conor O’Brien, Laethanta Sona is a first-time translation into Irish of Beckett’s Happy Days, Domenico Starnone is a leading Italian writer, Enrica Ferrara reviews Trust, Dublin Arts & Human Rights Festival.
Macbeth - Scenes from a Marriage - Album reviews
October 08, 2021 12:00 - 46 minutesAoife Barry previews Scenes from a Marriage, which is a modern adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's classic Swedish series, starring Jessica Chastain & Oscar Isaac, Brian Boyd & Louise Bruton review the latest albums including Elaine Mai's debut album 'Home'& Sam Fender's 'Seventeen Going Under'.
Film reviews - Squid Game - Gallery of Photography Ireland
October 07, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesAingeala Flannery & John Maguire review new films, Deadly Cuts, Sweetheart & The Man who Sold his Skin, Darryl Jones on the South Korean TV sensation streaming on Netflix, Prix Pictet Hope features photographs from 12 different photographers from around the world, Olan McGowan reports on the exhibition, at The Gallery of Photography Ireland.
Elaine Mai - Deadly Cuts - Tipperary Dance
October 07, 2021 12:00 - 45 minutesElaine Mai is one of Ireland’s top electronic music producers, has a huge following in Ireland & abroad, collaborating with some of Ireland’s finest, Home is her debut album, Deadly Cuts is the debut film from Rachel Carey, the comedy is set in a vibrant hair salon, Ferghus Ó Conchúir & Lucia Kickham on Tipperary Dance International Festival.
Ian Rankin - Dial A Seanchaí - The Border Game - The Dance
October 05, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutesThe Scottish crime writer William McIlvanney was working on The Dark Remains, when he died leaving behind a half-finished manuscript, which Ian Rankin has completed, The Border Game, at the Lyric Theatre, The Dance, documentary maker Pat Collins follows acclaimed choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan & concertina virtuoso Cormac Begley amongst others.
Sean Scully - Pan Pan Theatre - Crawford Art Gallery
October 04, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutesOn The Line: Conversations with Sean Scully, is a new book by art critic Kelly Grovier, The First Bad Man, Pan Pan’s Theatre Festival Show is part theatre piece, part book club, Cristin Leach reviews The Crawford Gallery exhibitions, Rembrandt In Print, & Remains, from acclaimed Irish artist, Brian Maguire.
Seán Ó Riada - Father of Cyborgs - Album reviews
October 01, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutesSeán Ó Riada's contribution to Irish music was enormous, his 50th anniversary was celebrated with two concerts, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy & Peadar Ó Riada teamed up with some of the country's finest musicians & singers, David Burke is the director of the documentary Father of the Cyborgs, album reviews.
Philidelphia Here I Come! - Daniel Craig's 007 - Stuart Neville - Exteriors - Annie Ernaux
September 30, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutesActors Alex Murphy, Catherine Walsh & director Geoff Gould on Philadelphia Here I Come! from October 5th, corkoperahouse.ie , Paul Whitington revisits Daniel Craig's 007, Crime author Stuart Neville's new book, The House of Ashes, the writer Annie Ernaux is considered the great chronicler of French society, Edel Coffey reviews Exteriors.
Film reviews - Uncle Ray - Traveller Pride Week - No Straight Lines
September 30, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutesGemma Creagh & Michael Pope review films incl Daniel Craig's last outing as Bond in No Time to Die, Uncle Ray from CoisCéim Dance Theatre by David Bolger, looks at father figures, David & Don Rongavilla , this week is traveller pride week, Roads Well Travelled recalls life on the road, Vivian Klieman’s No Straight Lines closes GAZE Film Festival
Cary Fukunaga - Music for Galway - Oliver Sacks
September 28, 2021 12:00 - 47 minutesCary Fukunaga is the director of No Time to Die, which opens this week in cinemas, Music for Galway celebrates 40 years, Dutch soprano, Lenneke Ruiten, opens the series with a Gala this Thursday, Oliver Sacks is best known for two extraordinary books, Awakenings, he died in 2015, Oliver Sacks: His Own Life is a documentary by filmmaker Ric Burns.
RTÉ Short Story Competition
September 27, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutesSeán Rocks hosts a special edition of Arena dedicated to the RTÉ Short Story Competition & the writing form, special guests include, writer Kevin Barry, Chris Morash, the judging panel with writers June Caldwell, Declan Hughes, Lisa McInerney, from 2800 entries to ten shortlisted & one overall winner.
Paul Brady - Kin - Album reviews
September 24, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutesIn 1979 songwriter Paul Brady released the album The Green Crow Caws featuring the music from the plays of Seán O'Casey & now releases a re-mastered version, Peter McKenna is the writer of Kin, the story of the Kinsella crime family, Andrea Cleary & Eamon Sweeney review the latest albums incl. James Vincent McMorrow & the Houseplants debut album
Film reviews - Nirvana Nevermind at 30 - Hunting Darwin
September 23, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesTara Brady & Justin MacGregor review new films, The Many Saints of Newark, The Green Knight, The Alpinist, the 30th anniversary of Nevermind which sold over 30 million copies, John Meagher & Emma O Kelly revisit Nirvana's second album, Hunting Darwin is Blue Raincoat’s new show, at the The Factory Performance Space, Sligo from September 29.
Dublin Theatre Festival 2021
September 22, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutesSeán Rocks previews the Dublin Theatre Festival, with a special guests includling Enda Walsh & composer Donnacha Dennehy, ANU’s Louise Lowe, Thommas Kane Byrne, Philip McMahon, Caitríona Daly & Fishamble's Jim Culleton. Further details, dublintheatrefestival.ie.
Houseplants - The Magician - Foundation
September 21, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutesPaul Noonan guested on the 2019 album L.O.S.S. from electronica producer Daithí & so began the musical partnership Houseplants, Dry Goods is out now, Colm Tóibín’s The Magician is one of the most anticipated novels this year, on the Nobel-Prize winning author, Thomas Mann, Foundation is a tv series based on Isaac Asimov’s influential sci-fi novels.
Y: The Last Man - Sarah Gilmartin - New Ross Piano Festival - Ireland’s Historic Gardens
September 20, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutesY: The Last Man takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, Aoife Barry previews the Disney+ series, Dinner Party: A Tragedy is the debut novel from Sarah Gilmartin, a prize-winning writer & the co-editor of The Stinging Fly, Philippe Cassard will be performing at Newsosspianofestival.com, Ireland’s Historic Gardens, documentary with Robert O Byrne.
Arena Culture Night Special
September 17, 2021 12:00 - 47 minutesSeán Rocks hosts a very special Arena on Culture Night, with author John Boyne, soprano Claudia Boyle, producer Daithí Ó Drónaí, actors Roxanna Nic Liam, Emmet Kirwan and singer Jess Kavanagh sharing their culture highs, what pieces of work have sustained them, challenged them or delighted them throughout their lives.
Arena (Podcast)
September 15, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutesOrla Brady: Rose Plays Julie - TV previews: Kin, Help and The Morning Show - Cinematography with Steven Benedict
Phyllida Lloyd - Wallis Bird - Jaime Martín
September 07, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesThe film Herself is directed by Phyllida Lloyd, telling the story of a Dublin woman fleeing domestic violence with her children, she has the idea to build herself a house, Wallis Bird begins an intimate tour, Tuath, wallisbird.com, Chief Conductor Jaime Martín on the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s new season, from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky.
Beautiful World, Where Are You - The Venice Film Festival - Poetry Town
September 06, 2021 12:00 - 54 minutesMary McGill reviews the highly anticipated 'Beautiful World, Where Are You', by Sally Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People, Tara Brady on the highlights of the Venice film Festival, from Dune to The Power of Dog, Poetry Town will bring poetry to towns all over Ireland, Vincent Woods & Grace Wells discuss, poetryireland.ie.
Galway International Arts Festival - Enda Walsh & Domhnall Gleeson - Paul Fahy - John Gerrard & Joy Gerrard - Tolü Makay
September 03, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesA very special Arena from the Galway International Arts Festival, Seán Rocks is joined by director & writer Enda Walsh, Domhnall Gleeson, music with Tolu Makay, Festival Director Paul Fahy, artists John & Joy Gerrard, dancers Stephanie Dufresne & Luke Murphy.
Film reviews - Masterclass - Down with Jazz
September 02, 2021 12:00 - 52 minutesFilms reviews, IFTA award winning director Cathy Brady's Wildfire, Annette, Sparks’ cinematic rock opera, Brokentalkers team up with performing artist & feminist Adrienne Truscott, Masterclass is about gender & power in the arts, fringefest.com , Down with Jazz takes place this Sunday in Temple Bar, Aoife Doyle will be there with her own ensemble
The Letters of John McGahern - JYellowL - The North Water - Eileen Gray
September 01, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutesJohn McGahern won acclaim as one of Ireland’s leading writers of the late 20th century, Prof Frank Shovlin has spent the last seven years, editing his letters, The Letters of John McGahern, out now, Rapper JYellowL ahead of performing at curiousgardens.ie , Arlene Hunt previews The North Water, Making and Momentum, an exhibition on Eileen Gray.
Misha and the Wolves - Sean Shibe - Luke Cassidy - Minseach
August 31, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesMisha and the Wolves documentary director Sam Hobkinson, Camino is the new album from Scottish classical guitarist Sean Shibe, Luke Cassidy's debut novel Iron Annie is set in Dundalk among the criminal underworld, with a host of characters incl. the enigmatic Iron Annie, Sibéal Davitt is the creator & performer of Minseach, fringefest.com
Nick Laird - Moxie - Walls and Windows - Halsey
August 30, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutesPoet & novelist Nick Laird wrote a moving elegy for his late father, Up Late, in the latest issue of Granta Magazine, alt folk band Moxie's new album is entitled The Dawn of Motion, they perform at the Claremorris Folk Fest., moxiemuso.com, Chris Morash reviews Rosaleen McDonagh's Walls and Windows at the Abbey, Louise Bruton reviews Halsey’s album
Only Murders in the Buidling - Rescue Annie - Album reviews
August 27, 2021 12:00 - 45 minutesMary McGill previews Only Murders in the Building, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short & Selena Gomez, Rescue Annie is a play by actor & writer Lauren Shannon Jones & director Eoghan Carrick, fringefest.com/festival/whats-on/rescue-annie , Kate Brennan Harding & Alan Corr review new albums from Orla Gartland's debut to Big Red Machine & Floor Staff
Film reviews - There are Little Kingdoms - Rough Girls
August 26, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutesRuth Barton & Michael Pope review films, incl. Candyman a supernatural slasher film, There are Little Kingdoms by writer Kevin Barry, the stage adaptation is directed by Andrew Flynn, GIAF.ie , Rough Girls is a new play by Tara Lynne O’Neill & the first all-female football team, set in Belfast at the end of the First World War, lyrictheatre.co.uk
Timothy Spall - Steve Wall - Dublin Fringe Festival - Kevin Can F Himself
August 25, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutesTimothy Spall stars in the Last Bus, a journey from John of Groats to Land’s End to honour the memory of his wife, Steve Wall of The Stunning ahead of a series of gigs at Pearse Stadium, Speak Softly, Go Far is an audio-performance with Hannah Mamalis, fringefest.com , Chris Wasser on Kevin Can F Himself, a dark comedy on Amazon with Annie Murphy.
Charlie Watts - Vigil - Stephen Sexton - Claire-Louise Bennett
August 24, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutesThe sad news today of the death of The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, Paul McLoone pays tribute, Vigil is BBC drama from the producers of Line of Duty, Stephen Sexton shares poems from his new book, Cheryl's Destinies, Claire-Louise Bennett's debut Pond was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize, Checkout 19 is her first novel.
McCartney 3, 2, 1 - Cogadh na Saoirse - Brian Moore
August 23, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutesIn Paul McCartney 3,2,1, McCartney sits down with the legendary producer Rick Rubin, Pat Carty on the Apple+ series, Cogadh na Saoirse is a play from Fíbín sa Taibhdhearc, director Philip Doherty & musical director Julie Feeney, Galway Int. Arts Fest. , from August 27th, fibin.ie. , John Self on the prolific novelist Brian Moore on his centenary.
Wildfire - Niamh Regan - Album reviews
August 20, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutesCathy Brady’s Wildfire tells the story of sisters reunited, until their strange behaviour starts to impact all around them, starring Nora Jane Noone & Nika McGuigan, singer-songwriter Niamh Regan’s new single is Happy Again, she tours this November niamhregan.com , Louise Bruton & Pat Carty review albums, Villagers, Lorde & Martha Wainwright.
Film reviews - Lucy Ellmann - Where Sat the Lovers
August 19, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutesTara Brady & Darryl Jones review films, Pig, The Bright Side from Ruth Meehan & Jean Pasley, Censor, starring Niamh Algar as a film censor, who discovers an eerie link between a horror movie that has come before her & her sister, Malaprop’s , ‘Where Sat the Lovers’, is about facing an overwhelming world & trying to make sense of it. fringefest.com
Omar El Akkad - Pearl Jam - Sound on Film
August 18, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutesOmar El Akkad is an award-winning journalist, 'What Strange Paradise' is his second novel, in which a nine-year-old from Syria, survives a rough migrant sea crossing and ends up on a small Greek island, John Meagher on the 30th anniversary of Pearl Jam's Ten, Steven Benedict on the essential role that sound design plays in the cinema.
Dublin HandelFest - Nine Perfect Strangers - Neptune Calling
August 17, 2021 12:00 - 44 minutesThe Irish Baroque Orchestra pays tribute to Handel’s association with Dublin, dublinhandelfest.com, Jenn Gannon previews Nine Perfect Strangers starring Nicole Kidman, Neptune Calling is a play by Eoghan Quinn, exploring how we connect with others & what our coping mechanisms are in a time of crisis, directed by Tracy Martin, redbearcompany.ie
Eimear McBride - Iarla Ó Lionáird - Prism
August 16, 2021 12:00 - 45 minutesEimear McBride is one of our most innovative writers, her new essay is, Something Out of Place: Women and Disgust, Iarla Ó Lionáird is one of Ireland's most acclaimed sean-nos singers, this September he teams up with harper Úna Monaghan, cellist Kevin Murphy, musicnetwork.ie , Spraoi Festival concludes with the premiere of Prism Spraoi, spraoi.com
Niamh Algar - Bunnyman: A Memoir - Album reviews
August 13, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutesNiamh Algar is an Irish actor on the crest of a wave of great new releases, she currently stars in the Channel 4 drama Deceit and Censor opens in Irish cinemas this weekend, Peter Murphy reviews Will Sergeant's 'Bunnyman: A Memoir', Andrea Cleary and Brian Boyd review new albums from rapper Nas, Jungle & The Killers
Film reviews - The Chair - Notebooks of Samuel Beckett
August 12, 2021 12:00 - 52 minutesDonald Clarke & Gemma Creagh review films, Free Guy, Coda, Mary McGill previews The Chair, a new academic comedy on Netflix starring Sandra Oh, Gavin Quinn, director of Pan Pan Theatre Company, Nick Johnson, co-director of the Trinity Centre for Beckett Studies on 'The Theatrical Notebooks of Samuel Beckett', What is the Word, panpantheatre.com
Modern Love - Doug Fishbone - White Lotus
August 11, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutesModern Love is Amazon's anthology series based on the popular New York Times column of the same name, series creator, John Carney discusses season two, artist, Doug Fishbone’s exhibition welcomes visitors into a ghost estate, Please Gamble Responsibly, crawfordartgallery.ie/ , Jenn Gannon on The White Lotus, the dark satire stars Jennifer Coolidge
The Cormorant - Craig Walker - Kenmare Butter Market
August 10, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutesLouise Kennedy & Eoin McNamee are the editors of the Sligo literary journal the Cormorant, treadsoftly.ie , Craig Walker is a name that will be familiar to fans of 1990s Irish guitar music, as front man of Power of Dreams, Ausländer is their new album, Staccato is the inaugural exhibition of a new contemporary art gallery, the Kenmare Butter Market