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.
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Episodes
TV preview: "The Crown" on Netflix
November 14, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesEdel Coffey and Peter O'Brien are previewing season three of "The Crown" available from Netflix this Sunday.
Tribute to Niall Tóibín
November 13, 2019 12:00 - 17 minutesFriends and colleagues, Joe Dowling and Eamon Morrissey pay tribute to the renowned comedian & actor, Niall Tóibín who sadly passed away today.
Elliptical Affinities: Irish Women Artists and the Politics of the Body
November 13, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesJoining Seán live in studio are curator Fionna Barber and performance artist Amanda Coogan. Elliptical Affinities is about to open at the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda showcasing 13 artists whose work comes together in a new exhibition.
James McKay on PROTEST!
November 13, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesJames McKay, talking to us about the exhibition PROTEST!, A retrospective of British artist and filmmaker, Derek Jarman, which will open at IMMA, the Irish Museum of modern Art, from this Friday.
An interview with Marina Warner
November 12, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesLast week, the Irish Humanities Alliance launched a new initiative, By Imagination We Live. This initiative was launched by writer and humanities champion, Marina Warner, author of such groundbreaking work as Alone Of All Her Sex: The Cult Of The Virgin Mary, and Monuments and Maidens: The Allegory Of The Female Form.
Jean-Michel Basquiat Exhibition
November 12, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesPhotographer Roland Hagenberg's exclusive exhibition of never seen before photographs in Ireland of the iconic American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat will launch in Dublin 13th November 2019 at Sal Fine Art. Roland joins us live in studio.
Shooting The Darkness
November 12, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutesPhotographers Alan Lewis, Crispin Rodwell and producer Thomas Kelly from the acclaimed documentary are discussing the new book Shooting The Darkness. They talk about the photographs they took – how they got the shot; what it cost them to take the photograph; and reflect on whether it was worth it.
Divine Madness
November 11, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesMairéad Buicke and John Scott, director of Irish Modern Dance Theatre, discussing "Divine Madness", a mixture of dance and opera. It debuts at the Project Arts Centre, Temple Bar, 13 November-16 November.
The Young Offenders Season Two
November 11, 2019 12:00 - 9 minutesRick O'Shea previews The Young Offenders as season two returns to RTÉ 2 tonight at 9.30pm.
Bill Bryson's Novel "The Body"
November 11, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesRick O'Shea has been reading Bill Bryson's new book "The Body". Who better than Bill Bryson to take on a subject as ambitious as The Body for his new book? This is the man who explained the UK to us in Notes from a Small Island and who demystified all things scientific in A Short History of Nearly Everything.
Film Reviews with Simon Maher and Roe McDermott
November 08, 2019 12:00 - 27 minutesSimon Maher and Roe McDermott were in studio for this week's film reviews where they were discussing 'The Irishman', 'The Aeronauts' and 'The Good Liar'.
Prince - 'Beautiful Ones' Review
November 08, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesThree years after Prince's death comes 'The Beautiful Ones', a book that is part memoir and part scrapbook, full of personal photos and handwritten lyric sheets. Journalist Lisa Hand was in studio with a review.
Brendan Canty - Christy
November 08, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesDirector Brendan Canty, responsible for the hugely successful 'Take Me To Church' video was in studio to chat about his new short film 'Christy' ahead of it's premiere at The Cork Film Festival.
Bernadine Evaristo Booker Prize Win
November 08, 2019 12:00 - 21 minutesBernadine Evaristo is on the phone to discuss her history making, yet controversial, win of the Booker Prize for her novel 'Girl, Woman, Other'.
Moira Tierney - 'Down Claiborne'
November 07, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesMoira Tierney's latest film 'Down Claiborne' explores the cultural fractures that exist in one of the most iconic cities in America, New Orleans. She joined Sean in studio to let us a bit more and how she got involved.
Tom Waller / Jim Warmy - The Cave
November 07, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutesDirector Tom Waller and cave diver Jim Warmy were in studio to chat about their new film 'The Cave'. The film documents the story of 12 boys who became trapped in a cave system, as monsoon rains had flooded their only means of exit.
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin - The Mother House
November 07, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesEiléan Ní Chuilleanáin has been described ‘as the Vermeer of contemporary poetry. She joined Sean in studio to recite two poems from her latest book The Mother House and give us a bit of an insight into the writing process.
Tom Waller / Jim Warny - The Cave
November 07, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutesDirector Tom Waller and cave diver Jim Warny were in studio to chat about their new film 'The Cave'. The film documents the story of 12 boys who became trapped in a cave system, as monsoon rains had flooded their only means of exit.
Danny Elfman
November 06, 2019 12:00 - 25 minutesDanny Elfman is one of the most in-demand and acclaimed composers working in the film industry today. He spoke to Sean about writing the music for The Simpsons and his upcoming performance in Dublin where he'll perform 'The nightmare before Christmas' at the 3Arena.
Declan Burke - 'The Lammisters'
November 06, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesAs an author, Declan Burke is usually recognised as a crime novelist. However, his latest work 'The Lammisters' is a fast-paced, farcical meta-fiction set in 1920s Hollywood. He joined Sean in the studio to tell us more about this new direction and how it all came about.
Maser - Atelier Maser
November 05, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesDublin street artist Maser is bringing his new project to Vue, the National Contemporary Art Fair at the Royal Hibernian Academy this week. He joined Sean in studio to tell us more about what we can expect from the show and the work being shown by his gallery 'Atelier Maser'.
Kevin McAleer - Guru
November 05, 2019 12:00 - 9 minutesComedian Kevin McAleer has a new string to his bow. He is now a mindfulness guru and is bringing his gifts on tour to Ballyshannon in Donegal and to Ballina this month. He joined Sean on the phone to tell us more about his new found knowledge.
Gay Byrne - A Tribute
November 05, 2019 12:00 - 24 minutesFollowing the death of veteran RTE broadcaster Gay Byrne, Sean was joined by a number of guests (Christy Moore / Celine Byrne / John Kindness / Hugh Lenihen / to pay tribute to the man himself.
Album reviews
November 01, 2019 12:00 - 19 minutesZara Hedderman and Brian Boyd review "Kiwanuka" from Michael Kiwanuka, "Bad Wiring" from Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage and "New Age Norms 1" from Cold War Kids
TV preview: "His Dark Materials" on BBC1
November 01, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesDave Rudden previews the tv adaptation of "His Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman
"Starve Acre" by Andrew Michael Hurley
November 01, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesAndrew Michael Hurley chats about his latest novel "Starve Acre" (published by John Murray)
Film reviews
October 31, 2019 12:00 - 23 minutesSarah Taaffe Maguire and Chris Wasser review "Doctor Sleep", "Sorry We Missed You" and "Brittany Runs A Marathon"
Tom MacIntyre RIP
October 31, 2019 12:00 - 9 minutesMarina Carr pays tribute to Tom MacIntyre whose death was announced earlier today
"Blood In The Dirt", a play by Rory Gleeson starring Lorcan Cranitch
October 30, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesLorcan Cranitch and Rory Gleeson chat about their play "Blood In The Dirt"
"Pale Sister", a play by Colm Tóibín
October 30, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutesColm Tóibín chats about his latest play "Pale Sister"
Review: The Exorcist" at the Gaiety Theatre
October 30, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesArlene Hunt reviews the stage version of "The Exorcist" at the Gaiety Theatre
"My Romantic History", a play directed by Janet Moran
October 29, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutesJanet Moran chats about directing "My Romantic History" by Verdant Productions
Robert Evans RIP
October 29, 2019 12:00 - 7 minutesMichael Doherty on the film career of Hollywood producer Robert Evans, whose death was announced at the weekend
"Writing Home: The New Irish Poets" edited by Pat Boran and Chiamaka Enyi-Amad
October 29, 2019 12:00 - 15 minutesPat Boran and Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi, editors of the anthology "Writing Home: The New Irish Poets" (published by Dedalus Press)
Review: "Cilka's Journey" by Heather Morris
October 29, 2019 12:00 - 11 minutesMaura McHugh reviews "Cilka’s Journey" by Heather Morris (published by Zaffre)
The Late David Turpin chats Romances and The Lodgers
October 24, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutesWriter, producer and musician David Turpin chats to Sean about his latest projects including an album and a Netflix movie.
Thursday night movie reviews
October 24, 2019 12:00 - 24 minutesRuth Barton and Darryl Jones this weeks movies. Up for review is Terminator Dark Fate, The Addams Family and By The Grace of God
John Creedon at the RTE Folk Awards
October 24, 2019 12:00 - 4 minutesJohn Creedon speaks to Sean ahead of the RTE Folk Awards at Vicar Street
Dublin's influence on Bram Stoker's novel Dracula
October 24, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesOne of the area’s most illustrious former resident of Dublin Inner City is Bram Stoker. He lived on Buckingham Street for most of his teenage years, and as Sinéad Egan has been finding out, the old neighbourhood had a gruesome influence on his most famous novel.
Swordfishtrombone revisited
October 23, 2019 12:00 - 20 minutesTom Waits album, Swordfishtrombones , will be "revisited" by British musician, arranger and composer, David Coulter as part of The Perspective series running in the national Concert Hall. David joins Sean to talk about the concert. Full Details : https://www.nch.ie/Online/default.asp
Jazz With Airelle Besson
October 23, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutesJazz Musician Airelle Besson joins Sean for a chat and performance.
Author Neil Hegarty
October 23, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesAuthor Neil Hegarty joins Sean to chat about his new book "The Jewel".
John le Carré Book Review: "Agent Running In The Field"
October 22, 2019 12:00 - 9 minutesMaeve Kennedy joins Sean to review the 25th novel from John le Carré "Agent Running In The Field"
Soprano Tara Erraught
October 22, 2019 12:00 - 20 minutesIrish mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught joins Sean for a chat and performance of the aria Piu Mesta from Rossini’s Cinderella/ La Cenerentola with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra.
Director Francois Ozon
October 22, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesSean speaks with director Francois Ozon about his new film "By the Grace of God"
Poet Michael Gorman - '50 Poems'
October 21, 2019 12:00 - 10 minutesAhead of his appearance at Sligo Live 2019, poet Michael Gorman Poet joined Sean from the Sligo studio to chat about his new book "50 Poems"
Darryl Jones Sarah Taffe Maguire : IFI Horrothon Preview
October 21, 2019 12:00 - 14 minutesAhead of the upcoming Horrothon in the IFI, Darryl Jones Sarah Taffe Maguire joined Sean live in studio to tell us a little bit about some of the films on show and what we can expect.
Brennan and John Meagher Friday Night Album Reviews
October 21, 2019 12:00 - 20 minutesKate Brennan Harding and John Meagher were live in studio for our Friday night music review. This week the music being discussed includes The Foals 'Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2' and Daithi's new album ‘L.O.S.S.’
Nick Drake as Gaeilge at IMRAM
October 18, 2019 12:00 - 22 minutesGabriel Rosestock has launched his new book on Gandhi and has translated the songs of Nick Drake, which will be performed by Liam Ó Maonlaí as part of IMRAM, the Irish language festival of writing. Gabriel and Liam joined Sean to discuss the project Full Details: http://imram.ie/