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
Wind of Change Podcast, UCD Festival @home, Stephen King, Snowpiercer
May 21, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesNew Yorker columnist, Patrick Radden Keefe's new podcast on Spotify, Wind of Change, asks if the CIA had a hand in creating the Scorpions anthem of the same name, creative writing with UCD Festival @home, Stephen King's 'If It Bleeds' review & Netflix preview of Snowpiercer.
Poetry with Jane Clarke, Parental Pandemic Portraits
May 20, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesPoet Jane Clarke shares poems from her new collection, 'When the Tree Falls', Kate Brennan Harding revisits Alanis Morissette's 'Jagged Little Pill' at 25 & Set Designer, Molly O'Cathain on her successful Parental Pandemic Portraits while Art Facilitator, Ciara Harrison discusses Part of the Furniture photographing everyday objects.
Joy Division, National Concert Hall series, Pendemic
May 19, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesThe National Concert Halls new online series of concerts, Tara Erraught & Barry Douglas chat to Seán, 40 years ago the death occurred of the Joy Division front man Ian Curtis. Vinny May of Kodaline, Neil Murray, co-director of the Abbey & Prof. Eoin Devereux on Ian Curtis & Pendemic, an online literary journal.
New music, Perfume Genius, Lifestyle Choice 10mg & Eileen Gray Exhibition
May 18, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesAoife Barry & Alan Corr review albums from Perfume Genius to Moses Sumney & Magnetic Fields, Rosemary Jenkinson on her new short story collection, Lifestyle Choice 10mg & curator Jennifer Goff on Eileen Gray's New York Exhibition.
New film reviews, Samuel Beckett, Beauvoir and Me, Where do I start with Elton John
May 15, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesRuth Barton and Donald Clarke review drama, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Romantic Comedy and documentary, The Atom, Sophie Gorman reviews Parisian Lives: Samuel Beckett, Beauvoir and Me by Deirdre Bair and Chris Wasser on Where do I start with Elton John.
Galway Stories, Charlie Brooker, electronic music
May 13, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesJune Caldwell & Pat McCabe on 'Galway Stories' a new anthology, Mary McGill on the return of Charlie Brooker's AntiViral Wipe & Tony Clayton Lea transports us back to the origins of electronic music - classic tracks from the Dr Who theme tune to Donna Summer's - I Feel Love. "The song just didn't suggest the future - it was the future".
Laureate na nÓg, New Speak & A Talented Man
May 13, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesNew Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn, Irish language children's writer & poet, the Lyric Theatre Belfast, New Speak Re-imagined, Henrietta McKervey on 'A Talented Man', a fictional sequel to Dracula & music with Beach Comber.
Charles Dickens My Life, Sorry for Your Trouble by Ricard Ford & music in a time of crisis
May 12, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesCharles Dickens: My Life. Derwin Hope talks to Seán about his new biography on Dickens which is published by Clink Street, Roisin Dwyer of the National Concert Hall on music in a time of crisis, poet Martin Dyar & Peter Murphy reviews Richard Ford's new collection of short stories 'Sorry For Your Trouble'.
New music, review: Notes from an Apocalypse by Mark O'Connell & Peter Sellars documentary preview
May 11, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesLouise Bruton & Brian Boyd review new music from Mark Lanegan, Hayley Williams & Swimmers Jackson. Notes from an Apocalypse the latest book from Mark O'Connell is reviewed by Declan Hughes & Paul Whittington previews the new BBC documentary on Peter Sellars, A State Of Comic Ecstasy.
Catherine Lacey on Pew, film reviews & Where do I begin with Kate Bush?
May 08, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesRoe McDermott & Chris Wasser review Becoming, a documentary based on the former First Lady, Michelle Obama, a thriller called the Whistlers & a documentary called Infinite Football, Lux Alma on Where do I begin with Kate Bush & Pew is the third novel by Catherine Lacey. The author talks about her much awaited novel.
Deirdre O'Kane & Michael McElhatton, Funny Weather review, Tiny Plays & Fuíoll Fuine
May 07, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesGavin Friday pays tribute to the electronic music pioneer & co-founder of Kraftwerk Florian Schneider, 20 years on from Paths to Freedom the mockumentary revisited, review of new non-fiction book, Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency, Tiny Plays, can you write a play in 600 words? Alan Titley on Fuíoll Fuine by Máirtín O Cadhain.
Crown exhibition, The Eddy preview, Mark Lanegan memoir, Art & Revolution
May 06, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesCrown - Hair and Identity in Traveller Culture is an exhibition of online photographs, artist Breda Mayock & Annie Lawrence of the Mayo Traveller Support group chat to Seán, art inspired by times of revolution, singer and musician Mark Lanegan's memoir review & The Eddy on Netflix.
New music BC Camplight, Garth Greenwell on his new book 'Cleanness' & May Day Folklore
May 05, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesNew music with the latest album releases reviewwed from BC Camplight, Joan as Police Woman to Ghostpoet, Garth Greenwell chats about his new book 'Cleanness' the follow-up to the international bestseller 'What Belongs to You' & May Day Folklore.
New movies The Assistant & Ema, Award-winning author Christos Tsiolkas & Hollywood on Netflix
May 01, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesNew movies The Assistant from Kitty Green starring Julia Garner & Ema from Pablo Larrain (Jackie), Award-winning author Christos Tsiolkas on his new novel Damascus, on National Poetry Day Eavan Boland reading "Our Future will become the Past of Other Women", a preview of Hollywood the new series from Ryan Murphy on Netflix.
National Poetry Day, We are One: A Global Film Festival, 'Exciting Times' by Naoise Dolan & Golden Girls sitcom
April 30, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesWriter Dermot Bolger on National Poetry Day, Donald Clarke with movie news on We are One: A Global Film Festival, Edel Coffey reviews Naoise Dolan's much praised debut novel 'Exciting Times' & Jenn Gannon revisits 80s sitcom The Golden Girls.
Normal People review, poet Sean Hewitt debut collection, Michael Curtiz & Casablanca biopic, storyteller Eddie Lenihan
April 29, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesMary McGill previews the series of the moment Normal People, 'Tongues of Fire' is the first collection from the poet Sean Hewitt, Dear Ireland excerpt from Emmet Kirwan, 'The Temple Has Closed', Irish storyteller Eddie Lenihan shares some of his stories. He continues this tradition with his podcast Tell me a Story.
Eavan Boland Tribute
April 28, 2020 12:00 - 54 minutesTonight on Arena we celebrate the life and work of poet Eavan Boland. Friends and colleagues pay tribute to "one of the foremost voices in Irish literature".
Siobhán McSweeney on her comedy heroes, film reviews and 'The 32' a new anthology
April 27, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesSiobhán McSweeney chats about her comedy heroes from French and Saunders to Whoopi Goldberg & Gene Wilder. Sea Fever the suspense drama from Neasa Hardiman & When All is Ruin Once Again are reviewed by Aingeala Flannery & John Magurie, Paul McVeigh talks about 'The 32', a new anthology from various Irish working class writers.
New music from delush, Ezra Furman and Lucinda Williams, Greg Jenner on his new book 'Dead Famous', After Life season two
April 27, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesSocial historian & author Greg Jenner talks to Seán about his new book 'Dead Famous' which charts the history of fame through the ages to the early 20th century, album releases from Ezra Furman to delush & Lucinda Williams also Chris Wasser previews season two of After Life from Ricky Gervais.
Director Lenny Abrahamson on the television adaptation of Sally Rooney's 'Normal People', writers Lisa McInerney & Elaine Feeney, art online
April 23, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutesLenny Abrahamson on directing the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's 'Normal People'. The Oscar nominated director chats to Seán about the new series airing on RTÉ next week, the writers Elaine Feeney & Lisa McInerney ahead of appearing at Cúirt Literature Festival, contemporary art with curators Vaari Claffey & Chris Clarke of the Glucksman Gallery.
'Beastie Boys Story' documentary preview, director Neasa Hardiman on her feature debut 'Sea Fever' & docuseries 'The Last Dance' review
April 22, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesNeasa Hardiman, Director and BAFTA award-winning writer chats to Seán about her feature film debut. 'Sea Fever' is a science fiction thriller. A preview of music documentary 'Beastie Boys Story' (Spike Jonze) and 'The Last Dance' review. A new docuseries on Netflix focusing on the legendary Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls 1997-98 season.
Cúirt Literature Festival, new music with Mount Alaska, poet & spoken word artist Danez Smith & Alice Lyons debut book 'Oona'
April 21, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutesSeán Rocks chats to Cúirt Literature Festival Director Sasha de Buyl & writer Kevin Barry as the festival goes digital, spoken word artist & poet Danez Smith 'Homie Collection' Colm Keegan reviews, electronic duo Mount Alaska with new album Wave Atlas: Season One, Alice Lyons on her debut novel 'Oona'.
New music with Joy Crookes 'Anyone But Me', Fiona Apple, Columbia Mills & Ron Sexsmith album reviews & Mary Tyler Moore Show at 50
April 20, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutesRising star & singer Joy Crookes chats to Seán. Her music has been gathering enormous acclaim since her first EP release in 2018 & a debut album later this year. 'Anyone But Me' is Joy Crookes new single, album reviews Fiona Apple, Ron Sexsmith & Columbia Mills, The Mary Tyler Moore Show at 50.
Je t'aime Serge Gainsbourg, Jenn Gannon on the iconic French artist, film reviews & One World Concert
April 17, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutes"Where do I begin with?" Jenn Gannon kicks off our new series, exploring iconic artists from various genres, this week it's French artist Serge Gainsbourg, film reviews TigerTail, Contagion & Outbreak, RIP Brian Dennehy & One World Concert.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Killing Eve to Fleabag, Hamnet the new novel from Maggie O'Farrell & music with Bedlam Suitcase
April 15, 2020 12:00 - 46 minutesFleabag, Mary McGill discusses the many successes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Killing Eve to new TV series Run. The stage version of Fleabag in London's West End is now available online, Maggie O'Farrell on her new novel Hamnet & music with Bedlam Suitcase.
Sinéad Gleeson reviews French author Annie Ernaux's A Girl's Story, award-winning writer Danielle McLaughlin, RTÉ Short Story competition
April 15, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesSinéad Gleeson reviews famed French author Annie Ernaux's autofictional 'A Girl's Story', award-winning writer Danielle Mclaughlin & one of the judges in the upcoming RTÉ short story competition gives tips for entrants, Eithne Shortall reviews the Netflix film 'Sergio' & poet John O'Donnell reads his poem 'When'.
New music & album reviews, The Strokes, Laura Marling & Malojian
April 14, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesNew music with album releases from The Strokes to Laura Marling and Malojian. Zara Hedderman & Eamon Sweeney review. Why has 'The Plague' by Albert Camus returned to the bestsellers list? Mary McGill revisits the seminal text, Art historians Jessica Fahy & Sarah Wilson discuss the crucifixion in art through the ages.
Pulitzer prize winning author Anne Tyler on her new novel, film reviews, author Malachi O'Doherty on his novel Terry Brankin has a Gun
April 10, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesAnne Tyler is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of over twenty novels. Her latest novel 'Redhead by the Side of the Road', Arlene Hunt and Justin McGregor recommend the best Irish films to watch online, from the box office hit Once to Garage and Black 47, journalist Malachi O'Doherty on his latest publication 'Terry Brankin has a Gun'.
Ruth Gilligan on her new novel 'The Butchers', Disaster Movies and William Wordsworth at 250
April 08, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutesRuth Gilligan chats to Seán about her fifth novel 'The Butchers', Daragh Downes on why William Wordsworth is so important and disaster movies, a genre that began 50 years ago with Airport. Cara O'Doherty and Simon Maher discuss this and the movies that followed since.
Polly Samson on her new novel 'A Theatre for Dreamers', Gilmore Girls revisited & Helen Meany recommends online theatre for your viewing
April 07, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutesA Theatre for Dreamers is the new novel by Polly Samson, Jenn Gannon revisits Gimore Girls 20 years on from first airing on our television screens, Helen Meany with online theatre recommedations.
New album releases Empress Of, Thundercat and Anna Burch
April 06, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesNew album releases from Empress Of to Thundercat and Ann Burch reviewed by Louise Bruton & John Meagher, the Netflix true crime series 'Tiger King' reviewed by Patrick Freyne & Evie Wyld talks about much-awaited novel 'The Bass Rock'.
Sinéad Morrissey on 'Found Architecture' featuring selected poems from all six of the writers poetry collections, Malory Towers on TV
April 06, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutesSinéad Morrissey reveals how her childhood in Belfast with communist parents shaped her creative outlook. 'Found Architecture' features selected poems from the acclaimed writers poetry collections, Malory Towers, writer Richie Conroy on the CBBC dramatisation of Enid Blyton's classic & the representation of Christ in film & literature.
Lisa Lambe on her new album Juniper, feature length documentary picks, multi-instrumentalist Barry Kerr & 2020 winner Liam O'Flynn Award
April 03, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutesLisa Lambe is one of Ireland's most recognised & in-demand performers she chats to Seán on the release of her new album 'Juniper', the best feature length documentaries available on digital platforms chosen by Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair & Chris Wasser, music & chat with multi-instrumentalist Barry Kerr, winner of the Liam O' Flynn Award for 2020.
Lynda La Plante author interview, Nick Cave's new book, Alan McMonagle on his latest novel
April 02, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutes"I had no real conception of what I'd done". Author Lynda La Plante's phenomenal success continues with 'Buried' a new crime thriller from the 'Prime Suspect' creator, Nick Cave 'Stranger Than Kindness' offers a rare glimpse of the performer through photos & sketches & 'Laura Cassidy's Walk of Fame' Alan McMonagle on his new novel.
Comedian Alison Spittle's comedy heroes, 50 years of Ozzy & Black Sabbath, 'The Hungry and the Fat' by Timur Vermes satire novel reviewed
April 01, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutesComedian Alison Spittle's comedy heroes, 50 years of Ozzy & Black Sabbath, 'The Hungry and the Fat' by Timur Vermes satire novel reviewed.
Arena
March 30, 2020 12:00 - 49 minutes"A lady should always act like a lady" says Eliza Scarlett. Creator of 'Miss Scarlet and The Duke' Rachel New describes Eliza as "an independent woman living at a time when women had little rights". The period detective drama was filmed in Dublin. Artistic Dir. Rosetta Cucchi on Wexford Festival Opera & a review of the novel 'A Thousand Moons'.
Arena
March 23, 2020 12:00 - 51 minutes“Harry Potter for grown-ups” a review of Hilary Mantel’s final part in the Tudor trilogy – The Mirror and The Light, Maser's Dublin gallery Atelier Maser hosts a new exhibition Assemble, The Lonsdale Project on the work of pioneering scientist Kathleen Lonsdale & the RTÉ Herstory series on Ninette de Valois founder of the Royal Ballet.
Album reviews, Anakana Schofield on 'Bina' and more
March 10, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutesAnakana Schofield on her latest novel 'Bina', BAFTA winner Kevin Toolis on 'Wonders of the Wake' and traditional keening, also album reviews - mercury nominated Anna Calvi's 'Hunted', Cornershop, 'England Is a Garden' and Mandy Moore's, 'Silver Landings'.
'Flights' - Playwright John O'Donovan
January 02, 2020 12:00 - 8 minutesJohn O'Donovan joins Seán in studio to discuss his latest work 'Flights'. The play is set in his native Ennis and about to open in glór, next week, before moving to Dublin at the Project from 21 January to February 08 and then to London.
Tribute to Marian Finucane
January 02, 2020 12:00 - 15 minutesA tribute to Marian Finucane on the sad and sudden news of the pioneering broadcasters passing today. Irish playwright Peter Sheridan joins Seán to share his memories.
'How Aria?' - Stephen James Smith
January 02, 2020 12:00 - 9 minutesPoet Stephen James Smith joins Seán in studio to discuss his latest work and treats listeners to a poetry recital. 'How Aria?' premieres on January 12th a Community Opera in collaboration with Irish National Opera and composer Amanda Feery.
Wonder Woman 1984 & Black Widow
January 01, 2020 12:00 - 7 minutesArlene Hunt chats about upcoming Marvel films for the year ahead. Black Widow and Wonder Woman 1984 are reviewed.
Nick Cave plus 2020 Festival Recommendations
January 01, 2020 12:00 - 14 minutesSinead Gleeson previews Nick Cave gigs for the year ahead and a book. Kate Brennan Harding recommends the best festivals for the year ahead.
Visual Arts
January 01, 2020 12:00 - 3 minutesVisual Arts for 2020, what's coming up in IMMA and the arts world.
Television - "Star Trek: Picard"
January 01, 2020 12:00 - 3 minutesPatrick Stewart reprises his role as Jean-Luc Picard in a new Star Trek series.
Book preview 2020 - Anne Enright
January 01, 2020 12:00 - 12 minutesDeclan Burke and Sinead Gleeson preview what's in store for 2020. Including Anne Enright's, the inaugural Laureate for Irish Fiction latest novel "Actress". Also best-selling crime novelist, John Connolly with the ever-popular Charlie Parker series, "The Dirty South".