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Last broadcast on Mon, 2 Mar 2009, 21:15 on BBC Radio 3.
Synopsis
Bidisha discusses Eonnagata, a new Sadler's Wells collaboration between dancer Sylvie Guillem, director Robert Lepage, choreographer Russell Malipant and fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Its story focuses on the transvetite spy and diplomat Charles de Beaumont, the Chevalier d'Eon. A member of the King's Secret, a network of spies under the control of Louis XV, de Beaumont was perhaps the first spy to use transvestism in the furtherance of his duties and his true gender was a source of speculation, even provoking public bets in the late 18th century. The project draws its inspiration partly from the ancient Japanese Kabuki technique of Onnegata, in which male actors portray female roles in an extremely stylised fashion.
Linda Grant
Bidisha talks to Linda Grant about her new book, ‘The Thoughtful Dresser’, an exploration of our relationship with clothes and the ways in which they define our identity.
The Thoughtful Dresser by Linda Grant is published by Virago.
American Newspapers
As yet more American newspapers file for bankruptcy, we discuss the crisis in the U.S. newspaper industry. Robert Rosenthal, executive editor of the Centre for Investigative Journalism, and Mary Jordan, London Bureau Chief of the Washington Post, discuss the ways in which newspapers have long been seen as the watchdogs of American society and the implications for democracy as major inprints go out of business.
Eonnagata
Susannah Clapp brings us a first night review of Eonnagata, a collaboration between the dancer Sylvie Guillem, the theatre director Robert LePage and the choreographer Russell Maliphant. Drawing on the kabuki tradition of Onnagata it’s set in the court of Louis XV – with elaborate costumes by the fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Eonnagata is on at the Sadler's Wells from 2 March
Memory
Psychologist Professor Geoff Beattie from the University of Manchester discusses total recall and why we remember modern historical events as if it were yesterday while many personal memories fade away.
Annette Messager
Sarah Kent reviews Annette Messager's new exhibition which presents a panoramic survey from the intimate and conceptually driven pieces made in the early 1970s to the very large sculptural installations of the past 15 years, in which movement plays an increasingly important role.
Annette Messager: The Messengers is at the Hayward gallery from 4 March till 25 May.
Broadcast
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Mon 2 Mar 200921:15
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