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Anita Harris, Vanessa Nicolson, Paul Rose, Zoe Phillips

Libby Purves meets singer and actor Anita Harris, polar explorer Paul Rose, art historian Vanessa Nicolson and Zoe Phillips, assistant armourer at the Royal Opera House.

Libby Purves meets singer and actor Anita Harris; polar explorer Paul Rose; art historian Vanessa Nicolson and Zoe Phillips, assistant armourer at the Royal Opera House.

Zoe Phillips is senior assistant armourer at the Royal Opera House. She makes and maintains weaponry for opera and ballet productions. Her work ranges from knives, swords, and retractable daggers to leather holsters and scabbards and she is currently working on items for a new Royal Opera House production of Rossini's William Tell.

Vanessa Nicolson has worked as an art historian and curator. The daughter of Ben Nicolson and granddaughter of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, she was brought up in London and Florence with holidays at Sissinghurst Castle. In her memoir, Have you been Good? she writes about her parents' marriage and the death of her daughter, Rosa, at 19. Have you been Good? is published by Granta Books.

Paul Rose is a polar explorer and ocean diver. He presents a new Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two four-part series to mark the 50th anniversary of the 268-mile Pennine Way. He was the base commander of Rothera Research Station in Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey for ten years and was awarded The Queen's Polar Medal. The Pennine Way is broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two.

Anita Harris is a singer, dancer and actor who is sharing her stories and songs as part of the London Festival of Cabaret. Spotted ice-skating at 15 by a talent scout for the Bluebell Girls, she soon found herself performing with the troupe in Las Vegas. She has worked with acts including Morecambe and Wise; Tommy Cooper and Frankie Howerd and appeared in two Carry On films. Anita Harris is performing at the Pheasantry as part of the London Festival of Cabaret.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Available now

43 minutes

In the studio

In the studio
Back row: Paul Rose, Vanessa Nicolson. Front row: Anita Harris, Zoe Phillips

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Libby Purves
Interviewed Guest Anita Harris
Interviewed Guest Paul Rose
Interviewed Guest Vanessa Nicolson
Interviewed Guest Zoe Phillips
Producer Paula McGinley

Broadcasts

  • Wed 6 May 2015 09:00
  • Wed 6 May 2015 21:30

Podcast