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Josie Rourke on strategy and Coriolanus

Tom Sutcliffe discusses the art of strategy with the theatre director Josie Rourke, academics Lawrence Freedman and David Runciman, and chess enthusiast Dominic Lawson.

On Start the Week Tom Sutcliffe talks to Josie Rourke about her production of Coriolanus, the story of the war hero destroyed by his own pride and the forces of realpolitik. His battle strategy fails on the streets of Rome as the masses get their first taste of democracy. David Runciman asks whether democracy breeds complacency rather than wisdom or reform, and in his study of Strategy, Lawrence Freedman asks why great military strategists often make such poor political leaders. Dominic Lawson tries to keep his moves hidden, as he enthuses about the world of chess.

Producer: Katy Hickman.

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43 minutes

Last on

Mon 16 Dec 2013 21:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Josie Rourke

Josie Rourke is Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse.

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Coriolanus is on at the Donmar Warehouse until 8 February and there will be a National Theatre Live broadcast of Coriolanus on 30 January.

Lawrence Freedman

Lawrence Freedman is Professor of War Studies and Vice-Principal at King’s College London.

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Strategy: A History is published by Oxford University Press.

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Dominic Lawson

Dominic Lawson is a journalist.

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His series of chess interviews, Across the Board, starts on 30 December at 1.45pm on Radio 4.

David Runciman

David Runciman is professor of politics at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Trinity Hall.

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The Confidence Trap: A History of Democracy in Crisis from World War I to the Present is published by Princeton University Press.

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Credits

Presenter Tom Sutcliffe
Interviewed Guest Josie Rourke
Interviewed Guest Lawrence Freedman
Interviewed Guest David Runciman
Interviewed Guest Dominic Lawson
Producer Katy Hickman

Broadcasts

  • Mon 16 Dec 2013 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
  • Mon 16 Dec 2013 21:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Podcast

  • Start the Week

    Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday