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The Fragile Contract

For playwright Polly Stenham, the theatre has always provided a laboratory in which to examine and hopefully understand the human condition.

For the playwright Polly Stenham, the theatre has always provided a laboratory in which to examine and hopefully understand the human condition.

In a programme called The Fragile Contract, in reference to the relationship between audience and performance, Polly reflects on our need for art and talks to the musician Florence Welch. She also draws on the writings of Tennessee Williams, Charles Bukowski and John Zerzan, with music by Leonard Cohen, Jimi Hendrix and Rachmaninov.

Readers: Sienna Miller and Kerry Shale
Produced by Hana Walker-Brown
A Falling Tree production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 6 Sep 2020 23:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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George Herbert

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Embracing The Classical

See all episodes from Something Understood

Music Played

  • The White Stripes

    Little Room

    • White Blood Cells.
    • V2.

  • The Rolling Stones

    Paint it Black

    • Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass).
    • Decca.

  • The Jimi Hendrix Experience

    The Wind Cries Mary

    • Experience Hendrix- The Best of Jimi Hendrix.
    • Sony.

  • Florence + The Machine

    Bird Song

    • Lungs (Deluxe Version).
    • Island.

  • Leonard Cohen

    Hallelujah

    • Various Positions.
    • Columbia.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Prelude in C# Minor Op. 3 No. 2

    Performer: Sergey Rachmaninov.
    • Rachmaninov Plays Rachmaninv: The Ampico Piano Recordings.
    • Decca.

Readings

Title: Blue Bird
Author: Charles Bukowski
Synopsis: An alternate personality hidden in the depths of the speaker’s life, referred to as the bluebird.

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Title: How to Speak Poetry
Author: Leonard Cohen
Synopsis: Leonard Cohen's instruction manual of sorts on how to speak poetry

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Title: A Streetcar Named Desire
Author: Tennessee WilliamsΜύ
Synopsis: Blanche DuBois’s poise is part of a persona she presents to shield others (but most of all herself) from her reality

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Title: The Case Against Art
Author: John Zerzan
Synopsis: Art is always about "something hidden." But does it help us connect with that hidden something?

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Broadcasts

  • Sun 26 Oct 2014 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 26 Oct 2014 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 6 Sep 2020 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 6 Sep 2020 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4