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
Alan Parker Tribute, Beyoncé, album reviews
August 04, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesSeán is joined by Roddy Doyle, Bronagh Gallagher, Robert Arkin & Donald Clarke in paying tribute to film director Alan Parker, Jess Kavanagh reviews Beyoncé's new visual album, Black is King & Kate Brennan Harding & Brian Boyd review new albums.
Film Reviews, "A Traveller at the Gates Wisdom" and "Supporting Cast" - a book of short stories.
July 31, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesThis week's film reviews including "Last and First Men" "Broken Law"and "Make Up". Mary McGill review's "A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom" from John Boyne and Kit de Waal joins Sean to talk about "Supporting Cast", a collection of short stories.
The stage adaptation of "Solar Bones", Interview with singer Fehdah and Paper Lanters - A literary journal for Teens and Young Adults.
July 30, 2020 12:00 - 39 minutesLynn Parker and Stanley Townsend chat about bringing "Solar Bones" to the stage at the Watergate Theatre. Singer Fehdah talks about being chosen as one of Culture Night's trailblazers and Ruth Ennis and Molly McDonagh talk "Paper Lanterns" a brand new literary journal for Teens and Young Adults.
Normal People and THe Emmys, The new Muppets TV series and Where do I begin with Northern Soul.
July 29, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesAhead of the new Muppet series being released on to Disney's streaming platform, RTE reporter and arguably Ireland's biggest Muppet fan – Liam Geraghty was in to discuss. Kelly Anne Byrne looks at the northern soul movement and director Lenny Abrahamson and Ed Guiney are on the line following the four Emmy nominations for "Normal People".
A literary trip to Florence, Thomas Kane Byrne's "My First Holy Covid" and the life and legacy of Peter Green.
July 28, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesDarryl Jones joined Sean for a trip to Florence through literature. Thommas Kane Byrne was live in studio to chat about his new short play 'My First Holy Covid' and Jimmy Smith chats with Sean about the life and legacy of Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green.
"The Great" TV series, Oliver Stone Memoirs and this week's album reviews
July 27, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesMary McGill joins Sean to talk new TV series "The Great", Tara Brady discusses "Chasing the Light: How I Fought My Way into Hollywood", the memoir of Oliver Stone and Siobhan Kane and John Meagher were in for this week's album reviews.
Movie reviews, Deep Song, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh
July 24, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesCara O’ Doherty & Michael Pope review Saint Frances - an accidental nanny finds an unlikely friendship with the six-year old she's minding, Stage Mother, How to Build A Girl & Alice., Stephen Roberts author of Deep Song, a new biography on Spanish poet Lorca & singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh ahead of a live performance at Windmill Studios.
Denise Chaila, Tiny Plays, The Pull of the Stars
July 23, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutesSongs from an Empty Room takes place this weekend, a series of concerts from venues across the country, Denise Chaila is one of the featured performers & event organisor Pearse Doherty chat to Seán Rocks, Tiny Plays 24/7 with Caitriona Daly & Marty Rea, Sophie Gorman reviews Emma Donoghue's timely novel, The Pull of the Stars.
Prague city break, Artists’ Residencies, Talking Heads Memoir
July 21, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesWe’re off to Prague virtually with author John Banville's choice of three books, The Dublin City Arts Office has announced its Artists’ Residencies for 2020/21. Jane Deasy & Michael Gallen are two of the current Artists in Residence, Roisin Dwyer reviews Remain in Love, a new memoir from Chris Frantz of Talking Heads & Tom Tom Club.
Maireád Ni Mhaonaigh, The Wild Laughter, Album reviews
July 20, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesMaireád & her family - Na Mooneys' will be taking part in the re-imagined Earagail Arts Festival, Edel Coffey reviews the latest novel from Caoilinn Hughes, The Wild Laughter, Zara Hedderman & Eamon Sweeney join Seán Rocks reviewing new music from The Pretenders, Jarvis Cocker &Ellie Goulding.
Film reviews, Tennis Lessons, 30 Rock
July 17, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesJenn Gannon looks back at 30 Rock, the series, based on Tina Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live, Tennis Lessons is the debut novel by award-winning poet Susannah Dickey, also film reviews with Arlene Hunt & Chris Wasser, Clemency, Spaceship Earth & Arizona.b
Utopia Avenue, CMAT, Little John Nee
July 16, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesUtopia Avenue by David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas. Utopia Avenue is also the name of the fictitious rock n roll band formed in 1967, Little John Nee is a travelling bard. His Tilt of the Sky tour takes place at the Earagail Arts Festival & music with self-declared global pop sensation, CMAT. Rodney is her current single.
The Plot Against America, "Where do I begin with Patti Smith?", Nuala O’Faolain
July 15, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutes"Where do I begin with Patti Smith?" Cait O'Riordan explores the work of the "poet laureate of punk", star of The Plot Against America, Anthony Boyle chats to Seán & writer June Caldwell is the curator of a new Nuala O’Faolain exhibition at MoLI.
Iarla O'Lionaird, London Literary citybreak, Cur'sed Murphy Versus The Resistance
July 14, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutesElegy, an evening of remembrance through music at the National Concert Hall. Sean-nos singer Iarla O'Lionaird performs in studio, we're off to London with Maev Kennedy through her choice of books from the classic to contemporary novel, also Cur'sed Murphy Versus the Resistance release their debut album. Peter Murphy talks to Seán.
Film Reviews, Covid 19's impact on arts in Ireland and author Amanda Craig on her new book The Golden Rule.
July 10, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesSarah Taaffe Maguire and Stephen Boyd are with Sean to review this weeks films including Family Romance, LLC, The Old Guard and Blackwater Abyss and Artistic Director of Galway International Festival Paul Fahy discuuses the impact that COvid 19 has had on the arts in Ireland.
Hotter than July Festival
July 10, 2020 12:00 - 10 minutesEamon Cagney and Niwel Tsumbu discuss the Hotter than July Festival and this year will see it being moved online.
Michael Russell on his new novel 'The City Under Siege'
July 10, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutesSean is joined by Author Michael Russell to discuss his fifth novel 'The City Under Siege'. It is the fifth in a series of novels that is set in the 1930s and 40s and features Detective Inspector Stefan Gillespie.
Friday Night Albums
July 10, 2020 12:00 - 27 minutesKelly Anne Byrne and Simon Maher review our Friday Night Albums. That's How Rumors Get Started, None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive, Pure Luxury and Dinner Party Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper & 9th Wonder, are up for discussion this week.
The life and work of Ennio Morricone, Berlin literary city break and The Abduction Of Seraglio - An Adaptation
July 09, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesDavid Agnew joined Sean to celebrate the life and work of Ennio Morricone, Richard Aldous to talk about Berlin and three novels that came out in very different decades and Director Catriona McLaughlin was in studio to discuss the very clever adaptation 'The Abduction Of Seraglio' by The Irish National Opera.
The work of David Fincher, The Winter Lake to premier at Galway Film Fleadh, Mrs America reviewed
July 09, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesJohn Maguire looks back on the career of Film Director David Fincher, Sean is joined by Director Phil Sheerin and Writer David Turpin to discuss their new film The Winter Lake and ise Hand chats to Sean about the new UK TV drama being aired this week called Mrs. America.
Film reviews, The Fab Four, Sligo Arts Festival
July 03, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesTara Brady & Darryl Jones review new films, with Hamilton on Disney Plus, Lynn & Lucy & also documentary, The Booksellers, spoken word artist Sasha Terfous is one of the artists appearing at the Sligo Arts Festival’s Cairde Connected & the award-winning writing Craig Brown on his new Beatles book.
Poster Boys, Vision Revolution, Olivia de Havilland, Callan Wink
July 02, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesThe Galway Film Fleadh, Dave Minogue discusses his film, Poster Boys, Ruth Barton celebrates Olivia de Havilland at 104, Clonmel Junction Festival, artists Anne Cleary & Denis Connolly new show is Vision Revolution, Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, the acclaimed short stories author, Callan Wink has just published his debut novel, August.
Druid Debuts, Galleries reopen, Amsterdam literary city break
June 30, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesKay Sheehy tours the galleries, providing an update as they reopen today after a three month period of closure, Druid Theatre Debuts, Garry Hynes of Druid & Peter Daly, playwright discuss the online festival& also Mary McGill takes us to Amsterdam, specifically, in the Dutch Golden Age, in which all three of her novels of choice are set.
Hamilton, Elizabeth Wetmore, Gram Parsons
June 30, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesThe musical Hamilton has conquered Broadway & the West End. Liam Geraghty previews the feature length recording on Disney, Elizabeth Wetmore on her New York Times Best Selling debut novel, Valentine, And to look back on this brief career, continuing our series of "where do I begin with?" Aingeala Flannery on Gram Parson's legacy.
Global Pride in film, New music
June 29, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesSonya Kelly and Mark O'Halloran celebrate global pride on film and new albums from Jessie Ware, Haim and Ray LaMontagne are reviewed by Nadine O'Regan and Eamon Sweeney.
Staged, best of Glastonbury, Pan Pan Theatre
June 26, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesStaged sees David Tennant & Michael Sheen playing fictional versions themselves. Director & writer, Simon Evans tells us more about the BBC1 comedy, the best of Glastonbury music festival with Una Mullally & Donal Scannell & also, Pan Pan Theatre company's mentorship programme goes online.
New films, Dancer From The Dance, Artemisia Gentileschi
June 26, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesAingeala Flannery & John Maguire review new films. From Will Ferrell & Rachel McAdams in Eurovision to Irresistible & Fanny Lye Deliver’d, John Scott & internet Irish dancing sensation, Morgan Bullock chat about Dancer From the Dance 2020 & Jess Fahy, tells us about the female Renaissance artist, Artemisia Gentileschi.
Maxine Peake, Live Collision, Shakespeare in the Theatre
June 24, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesMaxine Peake's latest role as a housewife in 17th century England in the film, Fanny Lye Deliver'd, theatre director, Conor Hanratty on his book, Shakespeare in the Theatre: Yukio Ninagawa & Live Collision International Festival goes digital with Electric Dreams, director Lynnette Moran & artist Karen Miano discuss.
Literary travel to Paris, The Kabul Olympics, Perry Mason
June 23, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesSophie Gorman now a Paris resident chooses three novels for a virtual Paris sojurn from Gertrude Stein’s Autobiography of Alic B Tolkas to Tropic of Cancer & Pedigree, John McAuliffe discusses his fifth poetry collection, The Kabul Olympics & also Declan Hughes previews a reimagining of the classic detective drama Perry Mason.
Lenny Abrahamson, new music, Stuart Evers, Ode to Joy
June 23, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesLenny Abrahamson discusses the arts post-Covid, Stuart Evers on his new novel, The Blind Light, Joe Csibi, Ode to Joy & European Music Day with GM of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Joe Csibi & new music from Bob Dylan, John Legend & Phoebe Bridgers reviewed by Louise Bruton & Brian Boyd.
JyellowL, film reviews, The Luminaries
June 19, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesRuth Barton & Donald Clarke review films from Joan of Arc to The Day After I’m Gone & Resistance, about Marcel Marceau’s time in the French Resistance, Dublin rapper, JyellowL with his new single, JeweLs & Kay Sheehy previews The Luminaries which is a new six part costume drama set in the south island of New Zealand during the Gold Rush.
Seán O'Casey documentary, Annette Binder, Gary Coyle
June 18, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesA two part RTÉ documentary, O'Casey In The Estate, brings the playwright's classic play, The Plough and The Stars home to East Wall. Director Maurice Sweeney & the Abbey Theatre, associate director, Caitriona McLaughlin join Seán, Annette Binder on her debut novel, The Vanishing Sky & also artist Gary Coyle's Dreaming Different Dreams exhibition.
Bloomsday, Stephen Sondheim, new music with Eileen Gogan
June 17, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesDeclan Kiberd guides us through some of the key extracts from a 1982 RTÉ Drama on Ulysses on Bloomsday, Where do I begin with Sondheim? the couturier and fashion designer, Peter O’Brien discusses composer Stephen Sondheim & also new music with Dublin-based singer-songwriter Eileen Gogan whose new album, Under Moving Skies is out now.
Wexford Opera Festival, Colm Tóibín, Dance in Solidarity
June 16, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesArtistic Director Rosetta Cucchi discusses an online festival for Wexford Opera, author Colm Tóibín transports us to Venice through his choice of novels, John Maguire revisits the film, Whitnail and I, and also Dance in Solidarity in support of Black Lives Matter.
Bonnie Greer, album reviews, Christine Dwyer Hickey
June 14, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesBonnie Greer chats to Kay Sheehy about two 1970 debut albums & their influence on hip-hop, poet & songwriter, Gil Scott Heron & The Last Poets, Kate Brennan-Harding & John Meagher review new music from Kodaline, Jehnny Beth & Norah Jones, also the winner of the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, Christine Dwyer Hickey.
Film reviews, A Shooting at Chateau Rock, Cork Midsummer
June 11, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesMichael Pope & Cara O' Doherty review the film adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl, also The King of Staten Island & Radioactive, the story of Marie Curie...Day of the Straws is by artist Marie Brett & writer Katie Holly. corkmidsummer.com & A Shooting at Chateau Rock is the latest in a series of crime novels from author Martin Walker.
Hillary, This Happy, The Salisbury Poisonings
June 10, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesLise Hand previews Hillary, a new four part series on the life of Hillary Clinton, Niamh Campbell discusses her debut novel, This Happy, singer-songwriter, Luan Parle shares her love of true crime podcasts, also Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson, the co-writers of a new three-part dramatisation of The Salisbury Poisonings airing this Sunday.
Gavin James, The Dalkey Literary Awards, Da 5 Bloods preview
June 10, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesGavin James talks about Live at the Drive-In, a series of music events across Ireland from July 24, Carl Austin previews Spike Lee's new film for Netflix, Da 5 Bloods, about a group of African American GI’s who return to Vietnam, also Rónán Hession & Lucy Sweeney Byrne on their nominations for the Dalkey Literary Awards.
David Gray's White Ladder doc, André Leon Talley, Joe Caslin
June 09, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutesDavid Gray's White Ladder is the bestselling album in Irish recorded music history, Donal Scannell on his new documentary charting the phenomenal success of the album, anyone who loves fashion will know the name André Leon Talley, he discusses his new memoir, The Chiffon Trenches, Resilient is an installation by street artist Joe Caslin.
New music, Run the Jewels, Mat Osman debut novel, Mad Men
June 08, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesMat Osman discusses his debut novel, The Ruins, Crossing the Threshold poem by Paula Meehan, Jenn Gannon on Mad Men an appreciation of the longtime series on Netflix, album drops from Run the Jewels & more with Kelly Anne Byrne & Eamon Sweeny reviewing.
Film reviews, iGirl electronic opera, Midsummer Moments
June 05, 2020 12:00 - 54 minutesHelen Behan joins us following the announcement of her BAFTA nomination the category of Best Supporting Actress, for the Channel 4 drama series, The Virtues, film reviews, Dating Amber, Marina Carr & Roger Doyle on their collaboration for iGirl an electronic opera & composer, Tom Lane tells us about two different audio walks. corkmidsummer.com
Corcadorca, Andrés Neuman's Fracture, The Last Day at Bowen’s Court
June 04, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesCorcadorca & live theatre for the Cork Mid Summer Festival. Founder Pat Kiernan & playwright Eadaoin O’Donoghue discuss, Andrés Neuman is an award-winning author. Fracture is the tale of a man who returns to Japan to retire. There’s more to his story than that, not least the fact that he survived both atomic bombs & The Last Day of Bowen's Court.
Tiger King Micro Opera, Kurosawa, Foo Fighters
June 03, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesTom Swift on the new Micro Opera, Exotic V Baskin based on Tiger King with Carlow Arts Festival, Foo Fighters debut album at 25, "Where do I begin with?" Rioghnach Ní Ghrioghair introduces us to Akira Kurosawa's movies The Seven Samurai, Rashomon & Ran & Breda Marron's Heart Space in the St Nicholas Quarter of Dundalk town.
Lady Gaga, R.S.A.G., Psychic Markers, The Tainted, IMMA
June 01, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesNadine O'Regan & Simon Maher review new music from Lady Gaga, R.S.A.G. & Psychic Markers. Cauvery Madhavan chats to Seán about her new novel The Tainted. Also artist Alanna O’Kelly & IMMA’s Director Annie Fletcher discuss IMMA screen which is available online.
Lisa O'Neill studio 8 session, film reviews
May 29, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesSinger-songwriter Lisa O’Neill took time out from writing her new album to come in to studio 8 ahead of her online concert on 12th June - NCH Live Stream Series & film reviews with Aingeala Flannery & John Maguire, The High Note, The Vast of Night – an ode to 1950s sci-fi & Only the Animals which charts an unhappily married woman’s terrifying fate.
Irish National Opera, Dublin Dance Festival, Space Force
May 28, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesChris Wasser previews Space Force on Netflix, Irish National Opera goes live online, Artistic Director Fergus Sheil tells us more, composer Michael Gallen & dancer & choreographer Catherine Young discuss Dublin Dance Festival for this year.
Esther Safran Foer memoir, Almost the Same Blue, Joe Chester, Endless
May 27, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutesJohn O’Donnell is an award-winning poet who has just published his debut short story collection 'Almost the Same Blue', Esther Safran Foer's moving memoir 'I want you to know we’re still here', new music with Joe Chester & acclaimed artist Willie Doherty's new film Endless.
Under the Hawthorn Tree, The Last Trial, Val Kilmer, InterAction
May 26, 2020 12:00 - 54 minutesScott Turow on his latest legal thriller 'The Last Trial', Marita Conlon-Mckenna celebrates 30 years of the much-loved bestseller 'Under the Hawthorn Tree', Paul Whittington reviews Val Kilmer's memoir & InteractionGalway.com online theatre at Galway 2020 with Jane Hanbury.
New music, author Daniel Mason, Little Fires Everywhere
May 25, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesIt's Friday! Zara Hedderman & Gavin Glass review the latest album drops from Limerick trio Bleeding Heart Pigeons, Charli XCX & the 1975, author of The Winter Soldier, Daniel Mason on his first collection of short stories & Jenn Gannon on the new tv series based on Little Fires Everywhere.
Stanley Kubrick. crime fiction, film reviews
May 22, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutes"Where Do I Begin With?" Michael Pope discusses one of the most influential directors of all time, Declan Burke round-up of new crime novels & Sarah Taaffe Maguire & Stephen Boyd review films for streaming including Mark Cousin’s documentary Women Make Film.