25/07/2011

Synopsis

Captain America: The First Avenger, has already defeated Harry Potter to take top spot in the US Box office and this patriotic American superhero is coming to UK screens this week. The film, set in 1941, focuses on the story of a scrawny military wannabe Steve Rogers, whose determination to help his country transforms him into a Super Soldier. Dr Jason Dittmer, a political geographer and specialist on nationalist superheroes, like Captain America, gives his thoughts on the film.

Moni Mohsin talks about satirizing life amongst the westernised high society of contemporary Lahore, in her novel, Tender Hooks - where she comments on Pakistan's troubles through the voice of Butterfly, a shallow, fashion-obsessed matchmaker who resents the beardo-weirdos (fundamentalist terrorists) because they interfere with her pedicures.

Mansfield Park is a new opera, based closely on the Jane Austen novel, which is set to be performed, amid the genuine historic finery of stately homes and historic buildings, across Northern England this Summer. Composer Jonathan Dove, who was commissioned to write the piece by Heritage Opera, talks about the art of writing initimate opera and making it relevant for new audiences.

Sir Michael Parkinson is a patron of the National Jazz Archive and today he is announcing a £346,000 investment in the archive from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The National Jazz Archive tells the story of Jazz and Blues in the UK through artwork, photographs, printed articles and the personal papers of leading musicians including John Dankworth. Michael Parkinson and jazz bass player Gary Crosby discuss the significance of this new investment.

On his forthcoming album, singer Tony Bennett performs a duet with Amy Winehouse, in what will now be one of her last recordings. Bennett and jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch reflect on the musical artistry of the iconic singer, following her sad and sudden death this weekend.

Producer Nicki Paxman.