Main content

Judith Kerr on The Cat in the Hat; Wolfgang Tillmans; Snow in Midsummer

Judith Kerr and Chris Riddell discuss Dr. Seuss and his influence on their own books; Wolfgang Tillmans on portraits, projections and politics; playwright Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig.

It is 60 years since Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat was published featuring the anarchic figure who 'entertains' two young children while their mother is away. Using only 236 words and with surreal cartoon characters, children's books were never the same again. Author Judith Kerr and Children's Laureate Chris Riddell talk about his work and how he influenced their own books for children.

The Disney live-action Beauty and the Beast will be released in Russia with 16+ rating to prevent children from watching because of the studio's first "exclusively gay moment" involving a character played by Josh Gad. Samira talks to David Austin, Chief Executive of the British Board of Film Classification about the way in which film classifications here are decided and evolve to reflect changing social attitudes.

Photographer and artist Wolfgang Tillmans discusses his 14-gallery exhibition at Tate Modern, which covers the period from 2003 to the present. For Tillmans - the first non-British artist to win the Turner Prize - 2003 was the moment the world changed, with the invasion of Iraq and the anti-war demonstrations.

A vengeful ghost seeks retribution in the Royal Shakespeare Company's modern adaptation of the 13th Century Chinese classic, Snow in Midsummer. Playwright Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig talks to Samira about blending ancient Chinese traditions with contemporary issues, including organ harvesting and climate change.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Ella-mai Robey.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Judith Kerr on The Cat in the Hat

    Duration: 08:08

  • Film classification

    Duration: 04:24

  • Wolfgang Tillmans

    Duration: 08:09

  • Snow in Midsummer

    Duration: 06:47

Judith Kerr on The Cat in the Hat

Judith Kerr on The Cat in the Hat

The book celebrating 's 60th anniversaryΜύis out now in paperback from .

Images:

Main image above: The Cat in the Hat

Image credit: TM & Β© Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. 2017

Image to the left: Dr Seuss

Image credit: Courtesy of Dr Seuss Enterprises

Μύ

Wolfgang Tillmans

Wolfgang Tillmans

is at Tate Modern, London until 11 June 2017.

Image: Samira Ahmed and Wolfgang Tillmans standing in front of Weed, 2014 by Wolfgang Tillmans

Snow in Midsummer

Snow in Midsummer

is at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until 25 March 2017.

Image: Emily Dao as Fei-Fei (Left) and Wendy Kweh as Tianyun

Image credit: Ikin Yum/RSC

Credits

Role Contributor
Interviewed Guest Judith Kerr
Interviewed Guest Chris Riddell
Interviewed Guest David Austen
Interviewed Guest Wolfgang Tillmans
Interviewed Guest Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig
Presenter Samira Ahmed
Producer Ella-mai Robey

Broadcast

  • Tue 7 Mar 2017 19:15

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast