The Essay Episodes Available now
Tirana—The Shopping News
4/5 Joanna Robertson on buying dreams of wealth in Tirana in the aftermath of communism.
Berlin—The Shopping News
3/5 How shopping for toys in Berlin reveals an attitude to childhood that is unique to Germany
New York—The Shopping News
2/5 Joanna Robertson on how book-shopping in New York can be about intellectual validation.
Rome—The Shopping News
1/5 Joanna Robertson argues that when Romans go shopping they buy into a local identity.
Get Playing: Alexander McCall Smith on the saxophone and the Really Terrible Orchestra—Get Playing
5/5 Writer Alexander McCall Smith on playing saxophone and the Really Terrible Orchestra.
Get Playing: Peter Bradshaw's electric guitar—Get Playing
4/5 Film critic Peter Bradshaw describes how he was reunited with his electric guitar.
Get Playing: Poet Fiona Sampson on playing the violin—Get Playing
3/5 Poet Fiona Sampson discusses her early life as a violinist.
Get Playing: Joanne Harris on playing the flute and bass guitar—Get Playing
2/5 Writer Joanne Harris discusses her love of playing the flute and bass guitar.
Alistair McGowan on playing the Piano—Get Playing
1/5 Impressionist and actor Alistair McGowan describes his attempts to relearn the piano.
The Art of Storytelling: Emma Smith—The Art of Storytelling
5/5 Professor Emma Smith considers William Shakespeare's skills as a storyteller.
