Arts & Ideas Folgen

Philip Dodd is joined by the historian Tom Holland and the political scientist Salwa Ismail to try to make sense of the new Egyptian revolution unfolding in front of us. Actress Diana Quick reflects on playing Eva, a charming but controlling German-Jewish émigré in Richard Greenberg's play The American Plan. James Malpas reviews the new exhibition of Laura Knight's portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. And to discuss how to make our evolving cities more habitable, Philip is joined by Richard Sennett, Amanda Levete and Gerard Evenden.

Matthew Sweet talks to award-winning director Jane Campion about her new TV drama series, Top of the Lake, set amidst the remote landscape of her native New Zealand. Clive James, Australian born poet and broadcaster, is best known for his irreverent TV chat shows and autobiographical memoirs. His output has been curtailed in recent years due to serious illness but he has just published a new translation of Dante's Divine Comedy. He explains why this project was so important and what he's learnt through being forced to stop and reflect on his life.

BBC Radio 3's annual Free Thinking festival of ideas continues its summer of activity as it takes up residency at leading summer events across the country. Anne McElvoy chairs a debate from the Daily Mail Chalke Valley History festival to examine how the British have looked to their history to give them a sense of national identity, and explores whether a sense of belonging and citizenship can be found from our past. The guests include historians Michael Wood, Helen Castor and Tom Holland and the MP and writer Kwasi Kwarteng.