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Mark Tully investigates the contemporary drive for popularity in life, art and politics - with priest and PR expert Rob Marshall and readings by Alistair McGowan and Emma Cunniffe.

The drive for popularity - in life, in art, at work and in politics - has never been stronger. Many court it, others seek to avoid it, most will be affected by it one way or another.

Mark Tully considers the potential of popularity, for good and for ill. He examines the preconceptions about it, the power it has for positive change and the dangers it can present.

He talks to broadcaster, priest and public relations expert Rob Marshall about popularity in religion and in politics, and there are readings and music from Angela Carter, Philip Glass, Helen Fielding, Ned Rorem, William Walton and William Shakespeare.

The readers are Alistair McGowan and Emma Cunniffe.

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling

A 7digital production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 10 Dec 2017 23:30

Music Played

  • William Walton

    Popular Song

    Performer: Maurice De Abravanel; Janet Bookspan; David Epstein.
    • Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Facade.
    • Vox.
    • 8153.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Bolero

    Performer: The Johann Strauss Orchestra; Andre Rieu.
    • Forever Vienna.
    • Decca.
    • 001-001.
  • Philip Glass

    Knee Play 3

    Performer: Michael Riesman; The Philip Glass Ensemble.
    • Philip Glass: Einstein on the Beach Disc 2.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 88697985152.
  • Constant Lambert

    The Rio Grande

    Performer: English Northern Philharmonia; David Lloyd-Jones.
    • Summer's Last Will and Testament, The Rio Grande & Aubade heroique.
    • Hyperion.
    • CDH55388.
  • Zoltán Kodály

    Variations on a Hungarian Folk Song for Orchestra 'The Peacock'

    Performer: Philharmonia Hungarica; Antal Dorati.
    • Kodály: Háry János Suite, Dances of Galánta, Peacock Variations, Summer Evening, Symphony in C etc.
    • Decca.
    • 443 006-2.

Readings

Title: Popularity Explaied

Author: Alex Freedman

Published by Ravi Seyed Mahmoud

Ìý

Title: Nights at the CircusÌý

Author: Angela CarterÌý

Published by Picador

Ìý

Title: The Leader PoemÌý

Author: Roger McGoughÌý

Found in 'Poems on the Underground'

Ìý

Title: Bridget Jones' DiaryÌý

Author: Helen FieldingÌý

Published by Picador

Ìý

Title: The Popular Novelist SpeaksÌý

Author: William BellÌý

Published by Poetry Foundation


Title: Julius CaesarÌý

Author: William Shakespeare

Broadcasts

  • Sun 10 Dec 2017 06:05
  • Sun 10 Dec 2017 23:30