Arena Gazette Feed

ARENA NEWS WEEK: Christopher Lee's 'My Way', Anniversary of Tiananmen Square and death of Lady Mary Soames

2014-06-06T12:09:53+00:00

CHRISTOPHER LEE RECORDS HEAVY METAL COVER OF 'MY WAY'

Radio 6 music interview with Sir Christopher Lee on his heavy metal recording of 'My Way'

Actor Sir Christopher Lee is marking his 92nd birthday by releasing an album of heavy metal cover versions. The album includes a version of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way', originally written by Paul Anka. "My Way is a very remarkable song" said the star..."It is also difficult to sing because you've got to convince people what you're saying is the truth".

Christopher Lee is by no means the first person to cover Frank Sinatra's masterpiece. The Arena classic 'My Way' investigates the appeal and power of the popular song through it's multiple versions. From Elvis Presley, to Sid Vicious and David Bowie, it has become an anthem for the individual. The song has been recorded over 140 times but none so powerfully as Dame Shirley Bassey, here seen giving a belting performance.

Arena looks back at the influence of Frank Sinatra's anthem

Arena: My Way (1979), directed by Nigel Finch

To see more on the origins of 'My Way' and a piece from Arena series editor Anthony Wall, visit the Arena webpage http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006pn88/profiles/myway

25th ANNIVERSARY OF TIANANMEN SQUARE

�鶹Լ�� News reports on the 25th anniversary of the Tiananment Square protests in Beijing

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing. Crowds of protestors, including students and factory workers camped out in the square before the Chinese security services moved in on the 4th June 1989. The estimated death toll ranged from several hundred to several thousand and 1,600 protestors were arrested.

Two years after the events in Tiananmen Square, Arena travelled to China to investigate the growing phenomena of Chinese rock music, which emerged in the years surrounding the protests. Cui Jian was the country's first rock star and through his ability to rally the youth against a political movement, he has been cited as China's answer to Bob Dylan. One of his most famous songs became a protest song for the Tiananmen march and his band went on to symbolise a new musical revolution in China.

Arena follows China's first rock star Cui Jian

Arena: Rhythms of the World - China Rocks: The Long March of Cui Jian (1991)

Directed by H.O. Nazareth, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

DEATH OF LADY MARY SOAMES

Lady Mary Soames

Lady Mary Soames, Winston Churchill's last surviving child, has died at the age of 91. She was the youngest of the five children of the wartime Prime Minister and his wife, Clementine. Mary Soames served in the auxiliary territorial service during World War Two, manning anti-aircraft batteries in London, Belgium and Germany.

Mary Soames went on to become the chairman of The National Theatre from 1989 - 1995, appointed by Margaret Thatcher's government. Arena interviewed her last year for the documentary charting the history and influence of The National Theatre. She candidly talks about her role as chairman which was regarded with deep suspicion by the theatre. Whilst Thatcher's idea may have been to have her keep an eye on the National, it was not long before she fell into good company with many of the actors, remembered fondly here by Ian McKellen and Richard Eyre.

Interview with Lady Mary Soames, chairman of The National Theatre from 1989 -95

Arena: The National Theatre (2013)

Directed by Adam Low, Produced by Martin Rosenbaum and David Sabel, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

THE QUEEN VISITS THE NATIONAL THEATRE TO CELEBRATE 50th ANNIVERSARY

2013-10-23T17:09:27+00:00

On the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre, the Queen visits to pay tribute

To mark the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre, the Queen visited the iconic building on the South Bank to pay tribute. During the visit, the Queen and Prince Philip were given a tour by outgoing director Sir Nicholas Hytner.

After a series of false starts and conflict surrounding the building of a new National Theatre on London's South Bank, the theatre finally opened its doors to the public in 1976. The Queen officially opened the building, before settling down to watch a performance of Goldoni's comedy Il Campiello accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. The opening night saw Sir Laurence Olivier give a speech in the Olivier Theatre - this was the first and last time he stepped foot in the theatre that had been named after him, after Peter Hall took over from him as Director of the National Theatre. As part of the birthday celebrations, Arena has charted the history of this iconic insitution in 'Arena: The National Theatre' - first transmitted on Thursday 24th October 2013.

(This clip is fresh off the press as it still features the director's guide commentary)

The Queen opens the National Theatre after a series of false starts in 1976

Arena: The National Theatre (2013) - Directed by Adam Low, Produced by Martin Rosenbaum and David Sabel, Series Editor - Anthony Wall