麻豆约拍

Janice Forsyth tunes into what's happening in arts, culture and music across Scotland.

Today Janice speaks to author Patrick Ness, best known for his powerful children's novel, A Monster Calls. He's just published his first adult novel in nine years, The Crane Wife, a modern parable about greed, inspired by a Japanese folktale he heard as a child.

Geek songstress Helen Arney plays Janice a tune and explains why science and ukuleles have become so popular with comedians.

New York is hosting the Brits Off Broadway theatre festival - which this year has a particular emphasis on Scottish theatre. Actress Blythe Duff, writer Rob Drummond, and producer Neil Murray discuss their experiences of exporting very Scottish plays to an American audience.

And in return: US television dramas have dominated schedules over here. As new seasons begin of hits such as Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad, Janice asks what's made these shows such a success on both sides of the Atlantic.