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
Paul Morley, Paula Meehan, Suppose A Sentence
October 12, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesWriter Paul Morley went searching for something new - and found it in classical music in his book A Sound Mind, 25 years' worth of poetry can be found in As If By Magic by poet Paula Meehan, from The Man Who Was Marked By Winter to her last book Geomantic & Suppose A Sentence is the latest collection of essays from Brian Dillon.
Album reviews, Festival in a Van, John Lennon
October 09, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutesOn what would have been the 80th birthday of John Lennon his biographer writer Philip Norman talks to Seán Rocks, Zara Hedderman & Simon Maher review new albums from Future Islands to Emmy the Great, English Chinese singer songwriter, Emma Lee Moss & Scottish veterans Travis, the Festival in a Van is the brain child of arts journalist Gemma Tipton.
Film reviews, Nick Hornby, New Romantics
October 08, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesFilm reviews with Ruth Barton & Justin MacGregor, an interview with bestselling author & screenwriter, Nick Hornby, Sweet Dreams is a new book charts the social history of the New Romantic era of music. Peter Murphy reviews & revisits music from Duran Duran to the Human League & Eurythmics.
Jaime Martín, Eddie Van Halen, Paula Rego, Illuminations
October 07, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesJaime Martín is the Chief Conductor of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and joins Seán Rocks in studio ahead of the NSO three concerts at the National Concert Hall which will be streamed live on RTÉ culture, musician Ray Harman pays tribute to guitar legend Eddie Van Halen, Paula Rego major retrospective at IMMA & Illuminations online.
Wolfwalkers, Richard Linklater, Happy Days
October 06, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesTomm Moore & Ross Stuart of Kilkenny's Cartoon Saloon discuss their new animation WolfWalkers with Seán Rocks, author Helen Cullen on where to begin with director Richard Linklater who is best known for his indie films, Sligo’s Blue Raincoat Theatre Company with Happy Days.
Rialto, Ailbhe Reddy's debut album, Des
October 05, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesMark O’Halloran discusses his film Rialto which stars Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. It is based on the screenwriter's award-winning play Trade, Personal History is the debut album from Ailbhe Reddy, the Dublin singer & songwriter sings live in studio ahead of performing at The Workman's Club in November & Declan Hughes on the true crime drama series, Des.
John Banville, film reviews, Brave New World
October 02, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesSnow is the latest in the detective fiction series from John Banville, Chris Wasser & Arlene Hunt review Rialto from writer Mark O'Halloran, starring Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Eternal Beauty & American legal drama, by Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago Seven & Daragh Downes reviews Brave New World on Sky Atlantic.
Derek Mahon Tribute, Album Reviews
October 02, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesSeán Rocks is joined by friends of Derek Mahon on the sad news of his death pay tribute to the Belfast poet. Kelly Anne Byrne and Eamon Sweeney review albums for Arena, from Roisin Murphy to Working Men’s Club & Groove Armada's first album in 10 years.
Sinéad Gleeson, The Great Hunger, Gaze, Wynton Marsalis
October 02, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesKay Sheehy reports from IMMA & The Abbey's production of The Great Hunger, The Art of the Glimpse edited by Sinéad Gleeson is a new collection of 100 Irish short stories, Gaze, director Patrick Chiha's If it Were Love & Michael Buckley on the career of Wynton Marsalis, one of the most respected composers in the world of jazz & classical music.
Gleeson as Trump, Aoife Scott, Mariah Carey & the Skelligs
September 30, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesSean Rocks and Lise Hand discuss the new political drama 'The Comey Rules' where Brendan Gleeson takes on the role of US President Donald Trump, Aoife Scott chats lockdown and the Cork Folk Festival and we delve into the career of Mariah Carey with Louise Bruton as well as Peter Cox’s new book on the Skellig Islands.
RTÉ Short Story Competition
September 28, 2020 12:00 - 56 minutesAn Arena special with Seán Rocks on the RTÉ Short Story Competition announcing the 2020 winner. Seán's guests are judges, Vincent Woods, Madeleine Keane and writers Danielle McLaughlin, Nuala O'Connor and Thomas Morris. The RTÉ Short Story Competition is held in honour of Francis MacManus.
Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, album reviews, Somewhere Near Vada
September 25, 2020 12:00 - 39 minutesThe National Concert Hall hosts Imagining Ireland. Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh plays live in studio ahead of his upcoming performance, Project Art Centre artistic director Cian O’Brien & artist Jaki Irvine' discuss Somewhere Near Vada, Alan Corr & Nadine O’Regan review new albums; the debut from Pillow Queens, Public Enemy, Fleet Foxes & Idles.
George Michael, The Third Day, John Scott Dance, IFI documentary Festival
September 24, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesGeorge Michael's Listen without Prejudice turns 30 this month & it is widely acknowledged as a modern pop classic. Kelly-Anne Byrne looks back at the ground breaking album, Dennis Kelly co-creator of The Third Day series, John Scott Dance & Tomorrow is Saturday at the IFI Documentary Festival, artist Sean Hillen & director Gretta Ohle.
Film reviews, Operas emerging artists, William Burroughs
September 24, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesTara Brady & Darryl Jones review new films. Enola Holmes, Tesla & Monsoon, The PwC Wexford Festival Opera emerging artists 2020, Anna Brady & Rory Dunne join Seán Rocks for a studio 8 session, William Burroughs: the Cult of Rock 'n Roll, Peter Murphy reviews Casey Rae's new book on American author who was a key figure in the Beat movement.
Dublin Theatre Festival, Mark Redmond, Utopia, Colm Keegan
September 23, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesArtistic director Willie White on the latest restrictions & the impact on Dublin Theatre Festival, music with Uilleann piper Mark Redmond, Jenn Gannon reviews the new US series of Utopia & Finding Our Voice is a spoken word & creative writing program, bringing together a collection of poems written by homeless people. Poet Colm Keegan discusses.
Bill Murray at 70, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Diarmuid de Faoite, Donegal Bay & Blue stacks Festival, music Padraig Jack
September 22, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesLiam Ó Maonlaí & Diarmuid de Faoite , Óró, a new production in An Cheathrú Rua in the Connemara Gaeltacht, Chris Wasser celebrates the career of Bill Murray at 70, Padraig Jack shares music from his debut album ‘Making Sand’ & Maggie Hannon the author of Sister Black, a one woman show, at Donegal Bay & Blue stacks Festival.
Simon Schama, Album reviews, Faith Healer
September 20, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesOn Culture Night, Seán Rocks guests are historian Simon Schama discussing his new BBC series 'The Romantics and Us', journalist Sophie Gorman reviews Brian Friel's 'Faith Healer', virtual live theatre in the West End & new albums from Limerick singer & songwriter, Emma Laingford to The Osees & Cults, reviewed by Siobhan Kane & Brian Boyd.
Film reviews, DruidGregory, Culture Night Berlin
September 18, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesCara O'Doherty & Michael Pope review films, Bill & Ted Face the Music, The Devil All the Time & Nocturnal, Druid Theatre Company is touring the West of Ireland with a set of plays written by Lady Gregory, Judy Murphy reviews & Culture Night will be celebrated abroad, Candice Gordon Cultural officer in the Irish Embassy Berlin discusses.
Dublin Theatre Festival Launch
September 17, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesMark O’Connell’s Prize winning To Be A Machine & Bush Moukarzel, Theatre for One at The Abbey with Marina Carr & Emmet Kirwan, Louise Lowe discusses The Party to End All Parties from Anu Theatre Company & Fishamble, Embargo is a new play by writer Deirdre Kinahan, a story of three people caught up in the violent winds of change in Dublin in 1920.
Elaine Feeney, MusicTown, Psycho, Women on Women
September 16, 2020 12:00 - 54 minutesThe Irish poet & novelist Elaine Feeney discusses her debut novel, As You Were, Monto & Dublin’s Music Town festival, folklorist, Terry Fagan & folk singer Macdara Yeates , Chris Wasser on Psycho at 60 a film which Hitchcock risked his personal fortune on & the Women on Women Awards with Bernie O'Reilly & Mavis Ramazani.
Andrew O'Hagan, Ratched, where to begin with Liam Ó Muirthile
September 15, 2020 12:00 - 54 minutesMayflies is journalist, Andrew O' Hagan's new book set in a small working class town in 1980s Scotland, Tara Brady previews Ratched, a new horror drama series that tells the origin story of asylum nurse Mildred Ratched & Alan Titley recommends where to begin with Liam O Muirthile who was a poet, columnist & dramatist.
Actor Stellan Skarsgård, album reviews, MusicTown
September 14, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutesActor Stellan Skarsgård's latest role is as a German soldier in The Painted Bird which follows a young Jewish boy during World War 2, The Long Balconies is a conversation between historian, Donal Fallon & songwriter, Brian Brannigan as part of MusicTown & album reviews with Zara Hedderman & Kate Brennan Harding, EV Carm, The Flaming Lips & Doves.
Inni-K, film reviews, Robert McCrum
September 11, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesInni-K joins Seán in studio with live music, ahead of Culture Night ‘Dublin: The Liminal Space’, film reviews with John Maguire & Aingeala Flannery, The Painted Bird, Savage & The Roads Not Taken & author Robert McCrum, Shakespearean is an examination of the life and works of the playwright and it is a look at the era he lived through.
Goodfellas, Elena Ferrante, Simon Cullen, Peter Broderick
September 10, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesJenn Gannon retrospective on Goodfellas at 30, Dr Enrica Fererra reviews The Lying Life of Adults, by Italian author Elena Ferrante, Simon Cullen & music from Holding Patterns at the Fringe Festival & American singer songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick with music from his album, Blackberry.
Catriona Ryan, Strange Flowers, where to begin - Joni Mitchell, Underwave
September 09, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesFlautist Catriona Ryan, a new series will see the RTÉ NSO performing from this Friday at the National Concert Hall, Sophie Gorman reviews Donal Ryan's new book, Strange Flowers, Underwave from artist Bettina Seitz is an underwater exhibition in Sligo Bay, Rachel Breslin on where to begin with the music of Joni Mitchell.
On Seamus Heaney, film reviews, The Deceived
September 08, 2020 12:00 - 54 minutesHistorian Roy Foster discusses his new book, On Seamus Heaney, which explores the life & work of the poet, Donald Clarke & Ruth Barton review the latest films, from Charlie Kaufmann's, I'm thinking of ending things, to Mulan to Les Misérables & Eithne Shortall reviews The Deceived.
Galway International Arts Festival
September 03, 2020 12:00 - 55 minutesAn Arena special with Seán Rocks on the launch day of Galway International Arts Festival, Kay Sheehy with artists John Gerrard & Hughie O' Donoghue, Caitriona Crowe on First Thoughts Talks & conductor David Brophy on Vinyl Hours, Pan Pan Theatre's artistic director, Gavin Quinn & ceillist Adrian Mantu of contempo quartet.
Druid Gregory, Eileen Walsh, Away, Bird Boy
September 02, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesDruidGregory is an evening of plays by Lady Gregory - in a month-long tour of county Galway that begins at Coole Park, director Garry Hynes & actor Marie Mullen discuss, Chris Wasser reviews Away, a new science-fiction series about the first manned mission to Mars, Eileen Walsh on The South Westerlies & Emma Martin on Bird Boy at Dublin Fringe.
Zadie Smith, visual artist Alan Phelan, where to begin with the music of Tom Waits
September 02, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesEdel Coffey reviews much-loved author Zadie Smith's new collection of essays entitled, Intimations, echoes are always more muted is a new selection of visual artist Alan Phelan's unique screen photographs & a music video, see derryvoid.com & Peter Murphy recommends where to begin with the music of Tom Waits.
Dopamine City, The Field at 30, Dublin Fringe Festival
September 01, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesDBC Pierre, the man-booker debut winning novelist, joins Seán to discuss his fourth novel, Meanwhile in Dopamine City, Patrick Scullion chats about his alter-ego Rosa Tralee's upcoming shows at Dublin Fringe Festival & Jim Sheridan, Brenda Fricker & Billie Keane revisit The Field at 30.
John Connolly, Galway Arts Festival, New album reviews
August 28, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesJohn Connolly on his new novel, The Dirty South, Enda Walsh & Paul Fahy chat immersive theatre installation as part of the Galway Arts Festival & also Louise Burton & Simon Maher review new albums from Katy Perry, Gregory Porter & Emperor of Ice Cream.
'The Dirty South', Immersive Theatre and Friday night albums
August 28, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesJohn Connolly discusses his new novel 'The Dirty South' and Enda Walsh and Paul Fahy chat immersive theatre installation as part of the Galway Arts Festival and Louise Burton and Simon Maher review our Friday Night Albums. Up for review this week are albums by Katy Perry, Gregory Porter and Emperor of Ice Cream.
Tributes to Eugene McCabe, Film Reviews, Barbra Kingsolver and Ill be gone in the Dark
August 28, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesGerry Hynes pays tribute to Playwrite, Storyteller and dramatist Eugene McCabe, Michael Pope review new movie releases, Barbra Kingsolver on poetry and Jenn Gannon discusses 'Ill be Gone in the Dark.'
Don Black, Twenty Fifty, The Waterboys, Mike Scott
August 27, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesDon Black, legendary lyricist, the man who penned the lyrics to the likes of the great Bond theme, Diamonds Are Forever, chats about his autobiography, Twenty Fifty is an interactive, improvised, socially distant performance, Mike Scott of The Waterboys shares music from the band's new album, Good Luck, Seeker.
A Ghost in the Throat, Connery at 90, Dancing at Lughnasa
August 25, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesDoireann Ni Ghriofa, A Ghost in the Throat, is the first prose work, from the award winning poetry author, Paul Whittington revisits Sean Connery's films as he turns 90 & also, director, Patrick Mason & actor, Bríd Brennan talk to Seán Rocks about Brian Friel’s most successful play, Dancing at Lughnasa, 30 years on.
Loyd Grossman, Strike, where to begin with Kae Tempest
August 24, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutesBroadcaster & art historian Loyd Grossman chats to Seán Rocks about his new book, Elephant in Rome documenting Bernini’s reimagining of Rome, Declan Burke reviews the new BBC series of Strike, an adaptation of Robert Galbraith's (JK Rowling) detective series & Una Mullally on where to begin with performance poet, playwright & novelist, Kae Tempest.
Album reviews, Sarah Crossan, Boys State
August 21, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutesRichard Aldous reviews Boys State a new documentary which follows a group setup to teach young people how democracy works, former Laureate na nÓg, Sarah Crossan chats to Seán, Here is the Beehive is her first novel for grownups & also Eamon Sweeney & Lauren Murphy review new albums from The Killers, Erasure & Bright Eyes.
Shine, Helen Cullen, Transmission at Dublin Fringe
August 20, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesThe National Concert Hall plays host to Dermot Kennedy & Denise Chaila with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, violinist Brona Cahill & clarinettist Michael Seaver, Helen Cullen on her novel, The Truth Will Dazzle Gradually, & also Transmission, a new play written by Caitríona Ní Mhurchú, Transmission is at the Peacock Stage. See fringefest.com
Film reviews, Douglas Stuart, High Score
August 20, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesChris Wasser & Arlene Hunt review films including King of the Cruises, Perfume & You've been Trumped too, booker prize nominated author, Douglas Stuart chats about his debut novel "Shuggie Bain" & also Ciara O'Brien reviews the new Netflix docu-series, High Score.
This Beautiful Village, Lovecraft Country, where to begin with Dashiell Hammett
August 19, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesWriter Lisa Tierney-Keogh & director David Horan chat to Seán about is Beautiful Virtual Village from the Abbey, Carl Austin reviews Jodran Peele's new series, Lovecraft Country & Declan Hughes on classic crime fiction novelist, Dashiell Hammett.
Great Book of Ireland, Maureen O’Hara Centenary, Summerwater, Fringe festival
August 18, 2020 12:00 - 51 minuteshe Great Book of Ireland was hailed as a modern-day Book of Kells, Alan Gilesenhan talks to Seán about the upcoming documentary on RTÉ, Ruth Barton celebreates Maureen O'Hara's career on what would have been her 100th birthday, author Sarah Moss chats about her novel, Summerwater & Fringe Festival, Luke Casserly & Shanna May Breen.
Charlie Kaufman, Moncrieff & album reviews
August 17, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutesOscar-winning screenwriter & director, Charlie Kaufman talks to Kay Sheehy, Antkind is his debut novel, Waterford musician & singer songwriter Moncrieff on his new single & album reviews with Alan Corr & Jenn Gannon.
Lankum at the Abbey, film reviews, Galway 2020, My Rembrandt
August 13, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesKay Sheehy chats to Lankum ahead of their "National Disgrace" event at the Abbey Theatre this Saturday, Galway 2020 re-imagined, art historian Jessica Fahy reviews the documentary, "My Rembrandt" & film reviews with Tara Brady & Darryl Jones, Spree, Pinocchio & Sputnik.
Ali Smith, Irish Chamber Orchestra at Kilkenny Festival, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
August 13, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesAcclaimed Scottish author Ali Smith talks to Kay Sheehy. "Summer" is the fourth & final book in four years completing the seasonal & timely series, violinist & leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestra Katherine Hunka on this Sunday's sold-out performance at Kilkenny Festival & also Pat Carty revisits supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at 50.
Where to begin with Christopher Nolan, James McBride & Dear Ireland
August 12, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesChris Wasser joins Kay Sheehy in studio & recommends where to begin with the work of filmmaker Christopher Nolan from Memento to Dark Knight & Inception, also US author James McBride on his new novel, Deacon King Kong & Helen Meany reviews Dear Ireland continues.
Waterford Walls Festival, Bryan Washington, Berlin May 1945
August 11, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutesUS short story author Bryan Washington talks to Kay Sheehy about his debut collection, Lot. Also artist Vanessa Power & festival organiser Edel Tobin of Waterford Walls Festival & Professor Richard Aldous discusses a new book, Berlin May 1945 by photographer Valery Faminsky which reveals photographs that have remained hidden until recently.
Poet Michael Longley, album reviews, Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 10, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutesKay Sheehy chats to Michael Longley, the award-winning Belfast poet, The Candlelight Master is his new collection, portrait artist Blaise Smith on "Village People" his upcoming online portrait series at the Kilkenny Arts Festival, also album reviews, Alanis Morissette, Liela Moss & Mary Chapin Carpenter with Nadine O'Regan & Simon Maher.
Movie reviews, Saint Frances interview, Clouds & Boulders at Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 07, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesMovie reviews with Aingeala Flannery & John Maguire, Perfect 10, from first time director, Eva Riley, Jamie Dornan in Endings Beginnings, Saint Frances writer Kelly O’Sullivan plays a university drop-out who takes a job as a nanny to 6 year-old Frances, Clouds & Boulders installation by choreographer Luke Murphy at Kilkenny Arts Festival X.
Dublin Fringe Festival, Fiach at Fibín, The Bloods at Kilkenny's Butler Gallery, Andrés Barba
August 06, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesKay Sheehy is joined by Ruth McGowan, the festival director of Dublin Fringe Festival 2020, director Philip Doherty on Fiach, a new piece of drive-in theatre at Fibín, author Andrés Barba on his novel, A Luminous Republic & also photographer Amelia Stein & Anna O'Sullivan, director of the Butler Gallery on The Bloods exhibition.
Where do I begin with Elliott Smith's music, The Harlots, literary city break to Istanbul
August 05, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesKay Sheehy chats to our very own Paula Shields who reviews, The Harlots a new BBC drama set in 1760s London starring Lesley Manville, journalist Aoife Barry shines a spotlight on the music of US singer & songwriter Elliott Smith in our where do I begin with series & Margaret Robson transports us to Istanbul in our city break series.