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Series 7 (Shortened Versions): Episode 7

Michael Portillo’s 1936 Bradshaw’s Continental Railways Guide brings him to the Italian 'treasure island' of Sicily, full of natural beauty and 'scenery of the greatest charm'. But the interwar guidebook also tells him that the head of government in Italy is the fascist leader Signor Benito Mussolini.\n\nOn a railway journey from the capital, Palermo, through the ancient town of Agrigento and the port of Siracusa, to Europe’s largest volcano, Mount Etna, Michael explores Sicilian life under the dictatorship.\n\nIn Palermo, Michael takes in the art and architecture of the Futurists and feasts on spaghetti and sardines in the city’s Ballaro market. In the Capo district, he learns how the island’s distinctive puppets are made and is enchanted to meet one carrying a Bradshaw.\n\nAmong the spectacular ancient Greek and Roman temples of Agrigento, Michael hears of the passionate ten-year search by a British archaeologist at the time of his guide for a long-lost ancient Greek theatre.\n\nThe drama of the interwar period comes to life in front of Michael’s eyes as he joins six characters in search of an author at the Teatro Pirandello.

Source: BBC 2