Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta talks to John Wilson about some of the key moments of his cultural life.\n\nHe discusses the influence of his father, his early love of breakdancing on the streets of Havana and the devastating effects on life in Cuba of the collapse of communist regimes around the world. He also recalls his breakthrough moment – winning the prestigious Prix de Lausanne ballet competition at the age of 16 – and becoming the first Black principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in London.\n\nThis Cultural Life is a BBC Radio 4 podcast.
Source: BBC 4
Series 1: 1. Kenneth Branagh
Actor and film-maker Sir Kenneth Branagh talks to John Wilson about the key influences and inspirations that have shaped his own work. In a wide-ranging conversation, he reveals ...
06-02-2025
BBC 4
Peter Kosminsky
Having started out as a current affairs journalist, Peter Kosminsky made his name by telling contemporary social and political stories in the form of television drama. Warriors ...
14-12-2024
BBC 4
Thelma Schoonmaker
John Wilson talks to three-time Oscar-winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who, for over five decades, has been Martin Scorsese’s cutting room collaborator. \n\nHaving ...
28-11-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: Sally Wainwright
Award-winning television dramatist and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences. After learning the art of screenwriting whilst wor ...
11-09-2024
BBC 4
Juliette Binoche
Actor Juliette Binoche talks to John Wilson about the formative influences that shaped her career.
02-06-2024
BBC 4
Michael Palin
Actor, comedian, presenter and writer Sir Michael Palin talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences.
05-05-2024
BBC 4
Boy George
Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.
04-05-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: Judi Dench: Shakespeare Special
Dame Judi Dench talks to John Wilson about her biggest cultural influence: William Shakespeare.
27-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 2: Margaret Atwood
John Wilson talks to award-wining author Margaret Atwood about the experiences that shaped her writing.
25-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 1: 2. Bernardine Evaristo
Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo talks to John Wilson about the formative experiences and cultural influences that have had a profound effect on her work.\n\nEvar ...
20-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 1: 6. Nicole Kidman
Oscar winner Nicole Kidman talks to John Wilson about the influence on her career of working with great film-makers.\n\nSince her breakthrough in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm, Ni ...
30-01-2022
BBC 4
Series 1: 1. Kenneth Branagh
Actor and film-maker Sir Kenneth Branagh talks to John Wilson about the key influences and inspirations that have shaped his own work. In a wide-ranging conversation, he reveals ...
06-02-2025
BBC 4
Juliette Binoche
Actor Juliette Binoche talks to John Wilson about the formative influences that shaped her career.
02-06-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: Margaret Atwood
John Wilson talks to award-wining author Margaret Atwood about the experiences that shaped her writing.
25-11-2023
BBC 4
Series 2: 3. Tim Minchin
Comedian, actor and composer Tim Minchin, the songwriter behind Matilda the Musical, chooses his creative influences and discusses his career.
10-12-2022
BBC 4
Thelma Schoonmaker
John Wilson talks to three-time Oscar-winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who, for over five decades, has been Martin Scorsese’s cutting room collaborator. \n\nHaving ...
28-11-2024
BBC 4
Boy George
Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.
04-05-2024
BBC 4
Series 1: 3. Mike Leigh
Film director Mike Leigh talks to John Wilson about the art and experiences that have shaped his own creative life.\n\nLeigh recalls his early life in Salford and reveals how a ...
07-12-2021
BBC 4
Series 2: 2. Nicola Benedetti
Violinist Nicola Benedetti reveals the influences and experiences that have led her to become one of the world’s greatest classical musicians.
10-10-2022
BBC 4
Series 1: 2. Bernardine Evaristo
Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo talks to John Wilson about the formative experiences and cultural influences that have had a profound effect on her work.\n\nEvar ...
20-11-2023
BBC 4