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Leanne Benjamin

Leanne Benjamin on 20 years as principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, powerlister Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and do shared hobbies make or break a relationship?

As Leanne Benjamin prepares to retire as Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet Jenni Murray talks to her about a career that's spanned over two decades. Following recent high-profile grooming and sexual abuse cases concerns have been raised about the way the young women involved are cross-examined by a number of different barristers. Do we need a review into how young people are represented and protected in our judicial system? Power lister Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of Britain's most successful paralympians reveals how life as a top athlete helped her prepare for a life in politics. And do shared hobbies make or break a relationship?

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58 minutes

Chapters

  • Giving Sex Abuse Evidence

    Concerns have been raised about the way young women are cross-examined in court

    Duration: 12:35

  • Dame Tanni Grey Thompson

    Tanni Grey Thompson on how athletics helped her prepare for life in politics

    Duration: 07:16

  • Shared Hobbies

    Do shared hobbies make or break a relationship?

    Duration: 07:16

  • Peonies

    Anna McNamee meets Prof Monique Simmons at the Royal Gardens of Kew

    Duration: 05:50

  • Leanne Benjamin

    Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet who's retiring after 20 years

    Duration: 08:02

Sexual abuse cases, new approach to hearing evidence

There have been a number of recent court cases where groups of girls have been found to have been groomed and sexually abused by male gangs. These high-profile cases have increasingly raised concerns about the way the young women involved are cross-examined in court. Director, Anna Hall joins Jenni to talk about her documentary , aboutÌýthe consequences for young victims being questioned by multiple barristers. And barrister Hugh Davies, looks at whether there is a need for a review on how young people are protected in our judicial system.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson

, one of Britain’s most successful paralympians and , reveals how life as a top athlete helped her prepare for the rough and tumble of politics.

Do shared hobbies make or break a relationship?

Will and Monifa Sims are an Ìýinternet sensation, with over seven million hits on . The American couple whoÌýshare a passion for karaoke,Ìýwere caught by a candid camera singing together at a petrol station. They gave the impression of a very strong, fun loving relationship. So, do shared hobbies make or break a relationship?ÌýÌý Guardian journalist and comedian discuss.

Kew Plant series: Peonies

With their heady perfume and big, blowsy, blossoms you’d be forgiven for thinking that peonies are more style than substance.Ìý But as Prof Monique Simmonds could tell you, that is just plain wrong.Ìý As Deputy Keeper of the Jodrell Laboratory at the, her current research is drawing on Chinese tradition to research the potential modern medical usefulness of peonies.Ìý What she’s found has had implications for not just for health but also, as it turns out, for more endangered species of the flower.Ìý Anna McNamee went along to find out more.

Leanne Benjamin

Leanne Benjamin, the Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet, is retiring after 20 years. Her final performance at the Ìýwill be as Mary Vetsera in the season finale of Mayerling. She joins Jenni to discuss her long and varied career which has seen her dance all the leading classical roles, as well as having work created for her by choreographers including Wayne McGregor.Ìý

Mayerling runs at the Royal Opera House until Saturday 15 June.

Ìý


Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Jenni Murray
Interviewed Guest Anna Hall
Interviewed Guest Hugh Davies
Interviewed Guest Tanni Grey-Thompson
Interviewed Guest Tim Dowling
Interviewed Guest Lucy Porter
Producer Rebecca Myatt
Editor Beverley Purcell

Broadcast

  • Thu 23 May 2013 10:00

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