You Cannot Be Serious!
John McCarthy weighs up the merits of playfulness versus seriousness in our lives, in a series of letters including correspondence with Frank Cottrell Boyce.
John McCarthy weighs up the merits of playfulness versus seriousness in our lives. He recalls a time during his captivity when he and Brian Keenan played dominoes in order to deal with the ongoing anxiety of their situation. This memory has led John to recognise the role of playfulness even when in the darkest of circumstances, and also to acknowledge the purpose of play in coming to terms with fear.
The programme features a series of letters, including correspondence with Frank Cottrell Boyce and letters written by Rainer Maria Rilke, The Fourth Earl of Chesterfield and a Grandad to his new grandaughter.
The programme includes readings from works by Rainer Maria Rilke and Antoine de Saint-ExupΓ©ry. Music comes from Chick Corea, Elgar and Bellowhead.
Readers: Jonathan Keeble, Chetna Pandya and David Schofield.
Produced by Rosie Boulton
A Whistledown production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Last on
Music Played
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Harry Barris with lyrics by Ted Koehler and Billy Moll
Wrap You Troubles in Dreams
Performer: Bill Evans.- The Best of Bill Evans.
- Verve.
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Trad arr The Danish String Quartet
The Peat Dance
Performer: Danish String Quartet.- Wood Works.
- Dacapo.
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Dominguinhos, Sivuca & Oswaldinho
Feira de Mangaio
- Cada um belisca um pouco.
- Biscoito Fino.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Finale from Jupiter Symphony
Performer: Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Harnoncourt.- Mozart Symphonies 39 - 41.
- Teldec.
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J.S.Bach
Aria from Goldberg Variations
Performer: Glenn Gould.- The Glenn Gould Legacy Vol 1.
- CBS.
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Billy Mayerl
Marigold
- Billy MayerlΒ’s Music.
- Conifer CDHD 205.
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trad. arr Jon Boden
Frogs Legs and Dragons Teeth
Performer: Bellowhead.- Burlesque.
- Westpark Music.
Readings
Title: Foolishness? No, It’s Not
Poet: Mary Oliver
Publication: A Thousand Mornings
Publisher: Penguin Press
ISBN: 978-59420 477 7
Synopsis: Mary Oliver climbs a tree to count its leaves – an act of foolishness or great and important fun?
Μύ
Title: The Little Prince
Writer: Antoine de Saint-ExupΓ©ry
Synopsis: The Little Prince wonders why adults are so interested in dull details
Μύ
Title: Letters from The Fourth Earl of Chesterfield to this son
Writer: Fourth Earl of Chesterfield
Publisher: N/A
Synopsis: The Fourth Earl of Chesterfield sends serious instructions to his son as to how to behave.
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Title: Letters to a Young Poet
Writer: Rainer Maria Rilke
Publisher: N/A
Synopsis: The Poet Rainer Maria Rilke writes to a 19 year old cadet urging him that most of our fears are of our own making
Μύ
Title: The Fun Stuff
Writer: James Wood
Publication: The Fun Stuff and Other Essays
Publisher: Vintage
Synopsis: James Wood describes two Glenn Gould recordings of the Aria from Bach’s Goldberg Variations
Μύ
Title: Growing Up
Writer: Nirupama Dutt
Synopsis: The poet is surprised by how fast her daughter is growing up
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Title: A Letter To...Bonnie, My First Grandchild
Writer: Anon
Publication: Family Section of The Guardian
Synopsis: A grand-dad welcomes his grand-daughter into a world of fun, but is worrying about dangers in the modern world
Μύ
Title: Child Development
Writer: Billy Collins
Synopsis: The poet knows that name calling by toddlers is a trait carried over into adulthood
Broadcasts
- Sun 12 Oct 2014 06:05Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 12 Oct 2014 23:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 3 Jan 2021 06:05Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 3 Jan 2021 23:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4