n quentin woolf

big fan

The one item of equipment we couldn’t do without on The Arts Show is the

Christopher Preston

big Dick Tracey-style chrome fan which works its magic from  under one of the mixing desks. Our studio is diabolically hot; so much so that, unlike most radio stations, we leave the window open whilst on-air just to save ourselves from perishing. I’ve lost a stone since I started on the show. Personally I think the sounds of motorbikes and fire engines whizzing past gives the show that urban authenticity lacking from some of our cooler counterparts.

Christopher Preston somehow pre-empted the temp situation and turned up attired in shorts – a very wise choice. The project his company, Maya, is involved with – the Write To Ignite festival – is a wonderful celebration of words and stories, and Chris’s belief in the artists he’s working with is obvious. I’m hoping to get to see some of the shows myself, especially John Hegley’s new one (despite having worked with John in setting up a show, I’ve yet to actually see him perform) and Nathan Penlington, who was on the show recently.

Jose and Oliver

Jose Campos and Oliver Herbert are a charming pair, and listening to their tales of being adrift midway through a project certainly took me back; it was great to hear how they re-kindled the belief of their dancers and brought the project together. Even though it was all about process, I’m looking forward to seeing the fruits of their collaboration. The conceptual distinction between between dance and movement, which can go undetected by the casual onlooker, is of such fundamental importance to the career of a dancer. I hope we’ll get a chance to explore that theme some more.

I hope you liked the music selection this week – eclectic is the word, I think. Next week’s interview with the composer James Hesford looks really promising – I think I’m already a big fan.

mugshots

 A good vibe ran right through this week’s show. Whether it was Ian Bruce

Mel and Jude

mugging for pictures (when asked for a pose, he snatched up his tea) or Amelia Robinson

Amelia drinks tea

strumming a cheery number about Jews not getting swine flu, every moment offered something to make us smile. In case you haven’t checked the show out yet, and want to catch Mel Venables talking about creating a zine, hear the Defibrillators tunefully abusing kitchen equipment and enjoy Jude Simpson’s brilliant comic performance poetry, you need to go to show page, then the listen again button, and settle back for an hour of assorted arts.

We’re also very keen to hear from you if you’d like to submit a review of something you’ve recently seen, heard or done on the arts scene (especially in the East End, but further afield too). To contact us about this or any of our guests, drop us a line.