Phil Alexander puts together the story of a composer through a newly found piece of music.
06 Aug 2023,·28 mins
Fantasy Architecture
An examination of fantasy buildings and the possibility of them ever being built
16 Aug 2004,·21 mins
Mary Beard tells the intriguing story of the history of exams.
06 Jul 2016,·30 mins
Michael Symmons Roberts on the life and legacy of the philanthropist Thomas Horsfall.
02 Nov 2015,·30 mins
Can children’s books help us face death and grief?
15 Sep 2022,·28 mins
Novelist Joanna Trollope explores the work of her favourite author, Jane Austen.
15 Sep 2005,·28 mins
Ian Peacock sets out to achieve the seemingly impossible, to be original.
06 Apr 2012,·30 mins
Cartoonist Gerald Scarfe tells the story of one of the greatest movies never made.
07 Jul 2016,·30 mins
How the British-born singer Vince Taylor inspired David Bowie's mythical rock star.
19 Aug 2010,·30 mins
Cathy Macdonald explores the history and glamour of red lipstick.
14 Feb 2017,·28 mins
The New Theatre
James Naughtie follows the struggle to create a new theatre for the RSC in Stratford.
19 Apr 2011,·30 mins
Li Cunxin, Madame Mao's favourite dancer, tells Darcey Bussell about his amazing journey.
17 May 2011,·30 mins
Peter Curran celebrates the powerful role of the humble foghorn.
22 Feb 2011,·30 mins
Jason and Melissa
A young London couple meet at a talent contest amid the violence of their neighbourhood
11 Jul 2002,·27 mins
Empire, Emigration and Global Reach
How globalisation shaped the 20th century through the movement of money and people
17 Mar 2003,·26 mins
A day in the life of the busiest international airport in the world
21 Jun 1994,·42 mins
Ian McMillan goes in search of one of Britain's strangest linguistic features...
10 Aug 2012,·1 min
Grace Dent explores the modern idea of grace.
09 Jun 2014,·30 mins
Melanie Chisholm celebrates the lasting musical legacy of British band leader Ivy Benson.
18 Oct 2014,·30 mins
Tim Key gives his surreal and startling take on the Soviet absurdist writer Daniil Kharms.
28 Jun 2016,·30 mins
Why Object?
The last programme in Ian Hislop's series celebrating great works of sedition and dissent.
30 Aug 2018,·30 mins
Start-up Planet
Kevin Fong explores differing visions of a human presence and purpose on Mars.
08 Mar 2017,·43 mins
30/11/2011
Long-lost fragments of Sibelius's Eighth, and feedback about the question of applause.
30 Nov 2011,·20 mins
Series 2
Belfast Docks
Composer laureate Brian Irvine and Rachael Boyd, on fiddle, play the skyline of Belfast.
22 Aug 2016,·28 mins
An exclusive insight into world of the brilliant and original choreographer Mark Morris.
26 Jun 2014,·30 mins
Professor Judith Buchanan shares her love and knowledge of Shakespeare in early films.
17 Apr 2016,·30 mins
An exploration of the spiritual side of the music of Bob Dylan.
24 May 2011,·30 mins
Author J K Rowling and Stephen Fry discuss the Harry Potter book series.
10 Dec 2005,·60 mins
Nick Barraclough celebrates the unsung singers.
23 May 2009,·30 mins
Inside the Rock
The story of Cruachan Power Station and the art it has inspired.
15 Oct 2015,·30 mins
