Arena Gazette Feed

ARENA NEWS WEEK: 100 Years of The Panama Canal, Big Ben cleaned and Jazz Legends In New York

2014-08-22T09:35:51+00:00

100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANAMA CANAL

Radio 4 reports on 100 year since the opening of the Panama Canal

This week saw 100 year since the opening of the Panama Canal. It has been described as one of the wonders of the modern world, an astounding feat of engineering that connected the Pacific and Atlantic oceans for the first time. The canal was controlled by the US until the Panamanian government took it over in 1999. It has revolutionised global trade and today handles five percent of the world's maritime trade.

In 1976, Graham Greene recieved an invitation from General Omar Torrijos Herrera to visit Panama. He knew little of the country but claimed it had long haunted his imagination so accepted the invitation. A deep bond developed between the writer and general and Greene returned to Panama numerous times after. Following the death of Torrijos, Greene wrote 'Getting To Know The General' as a tribute to the friendship. In the 1989 Arena 'The Other Graham Greene', we hear the voice of Greene himself as he describes his first visit to Panama. He recalls a strange encounter of mistaken identity with another 'Graham Greene' on his travels.

Graham Greene recounts his first visit to Panama

Arena: The Other Graham Greene (1989), Directed by Nigel Finch, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

BIG BEN GETS A CLEAN

BBC News reports on the cleaning of London's Big Ben

The hands of the worlds most famous clock were stopped at midday on the 18th August as a team of abseilers scaled Big Ben to give it a clean. Angling sixty metres above ground from one of Britain's most famous landmarks, it was hardly an ordinary day in the office for these window cleaners. Chairman of the British Watch and Clock Makers' Guild, Paul Robeson told The Today Programme the cleaners were 'very brave or mad, one or the other'.

Arena's 'Radio Night' broadcast back in 1993 included a short film dedicated to the Time Signal. Following his discovery that the BBC 'pips' had dropped a semitone, English recorder player Dr. Carl Dolmetsch moved on to the great sounds of Big Ben. He believed the tone of the chiming bells was not the correct pitch and Arena talked to the Deputy Manager of the Palace of Westminster, Brian O'Doyle to find an answer.

Dr Carl Dolmetsch investigates the pitch of the famous Big Ben chimes

Arena: The Time Signal (1993), Directed by Fisher Dilke, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

'JAZZ CORNER' AT WOODLAWN CEMETERY

BBC Radio 4 reports from 'jazz corner' in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York

Jazz fans are now able to make their adoration permanent by buying a plot right next to some of the jazz greats buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York. The cemetery hosts its very own 'jazz corner' where Duke Ellington bought his lot in 1959, next to Miles Davis. Many other musical legends are buried here including Lionel Hampton, Max Roach and Celia Cruz. The five acre hill next door, formerly a composting site, has now been freed up fo the public, many of whom have bought plots to ensure they can be close to their jazz heroes.

Musical pioneer Duke Ellington was a composer, pianist and bandleader of jazz orchestras from 1923 until his death in 1974. Born in Washington, he was based in New York from the mid 1920's and gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club. He remains one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music. In 1983, Arena looked back at some of the great legends of jazz with 'Jazz Juke Box' presented by blues singer George Melley. He discusses the great work of Ellington in conversation with Slim Gaillard who recounts tales of Ellington's former partner Ivie Anderson and her famous chicken shack.

George Melley and Slim Gaillard discuss one of the great jazz legends Duke Ellington

Arena: Jazz Juke Box (1983). Directed by Anthony Wall

ARENA NEWS WEEK: Frank Maloney, George Orwell Museum and Giant Panda Tian Tian

2014-08-14T12:43:36+00:00

FRANK MALONEY REVEALS GENDER REASSIGNMENT

Former boxing promoter Frank Maloney comes out as Kellie after gender reassignment

Kellie Maloney is the new name of former boxing promoter Frank Maloney who has revealed he is undergoing gender reassignment. Maloney, best known for guiding Lennox Lewis to the world heavyweight title in 1993, says “I was born in the wrong body and I have always known I was a woman”. Kellie admitted she didn’t feel able to come out whilst working in the boxing industry and would not have been able to do the job as a woman.

Whilst this is a new phenomenon for the boxing industry, it has long been part of the vibrant and diverse culture of cities such as San Francisco. In 1992, Arena interviewed the American author, playwright and gender theorist Kate Bornstein who received sex reassignment surgery in 1986. She recalls her first encounter with the works of Armistead Maupin, who’s famous novels ‘Tales Of the City’, set in San Francisco, were pioneering in their representation of gay and transgender characters. San Francisco has always had a reputation as a city for tolerant attitudes, and Bornstein explains her move to ‘the city’ and the way in which Maupin’s characters and writing gave hope to transsexuals like herself.

Kate Bornstein interviewed for 1992 film on American author Armistead Maupin

Arena: Armistead Maupin Is a Man I Dreampt Up (1992). Directed by Kate Meynell, Series Editor -Anthony Wall

GEORGE ORWELL'S BIRTHPLACE BECOMES MUSEUM

Orwell

The birthplace of George Orwell is in a north eastern Indian town where he spend the first year of his life, before moving to Henley on Thames. This region was originally poppy country and Orwell’s father worked for the opium department of the British government overseeing the production and storage of the drug before it was exported to China. More than a century after Orwell’s departure, the colonial style bungalow where he was born is being turned into a museum.

George Orwell, christened Eric Blair, left Eton at 18 and enrolled in the imperial military police in Burma, having always had a fascination with ‘The East’. His friends and family were mystified at his decision to enter the Burmese police force rather than the Indian civil service, but it was here that he wrote the novel ‘Burmese Days’ published in 1934. Orwell’s harsh portrail of colonial society details the waning days of the British empire when Burma was ruled from Delhi as part of British India. Arena interviewed those who knew Orwell in his early days for the 1983 documentary, seen here discussing his life and work in Burma.

Arena looks back at Orwell's life and work in Burma

Arena: George Orwell - Such, Such Were The Joys (1983). Directed by Nigel Williams, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

GIANT PANDA TIAN TIAN SUSPECTED PREGNANT

BBC News reports on the pregnancy of giant panda Tian Tian

Edinburgh Zoo believes its panda Tian Tian is pregnant and may give birth later this month. She was artificially inseminated earlier this year after attempts to bring her together with male partner, Yang Guang, failed. If Tian Tian is pregnant, it will be the first time a giant panda has been born in Britain.

Perhaps Britain’s best known giant panda was Chi Chi, London Zoo’s star attraction from 1958 until her death in 1972. She was bought from China by the animal dealer Heini Demmer to the West after being refused entry to the USA because of a trade embargo on enemy goods to the country. As a result, she toured the European zoos hoping to find a home before settling in London. Chi Chi, an instant celebrity as a victim of the Cold War, made front page news around the world and became Britain’s best loved zoo animal. Visit the Arena Hotel on the link below to see a snippet from Arena’s 1992 film on the life of Chi Chi and how she came to be immortalised at the natural history museum.

http://www.arenahotel.tv/films/chi-chi

Check into the Arena Hotel to see what else is in store....http://www.arenahotel.tv/floors/lobby

Hotel

ARENA NEWS WEEK: Assisted dying bill, conflict in Gaza and Dylan Thomas's love letters

2014-07-18T12:15:30+00:00

ASSISTED DYING BILL AT HOUSE OF LORDS

BBC Daily Politics reports on the debate over 'assisted dying' in the House of Lords

A controversial debate on assisted dying will take place in the House of Lords today, with a record number of peers requesting to speak. If passed, the bill would allow doctors to prescribe a lethal dose to terminally ill patients judged to have less than six months to live. Supporters of this bill include Desmond Tutu, who has said he reveres "the sanctity of life, but not at any cost".

In 1996, Desmond Tutu visited Anglican bishop Trevor Huddleston, two years before his death in 1998. Huddleston was best known for his anti-aparthied activism and worked with Desmond Tutu opposing the aparthied regime in South Africa. Arena filmed this rare meeting, where the pair talk candidly about the Christian relationship with suffering and their views on mortality.

Desmond Tutu and Trevor Huddleston on Christianity and suffering

Arena: Stories My Country Told Me (1996). Directed by Anthony Wall

CONFLICT ESCALATES IN GAZA

BBC news reports on the conflict in Gaza

The Israeli military has begun a ground offensive against Palestinian militants in the Gaza strip. Troops and tanks were sent into Gaza to deal "a significant blow to Hamas", Israel said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the invasion after days of intensive rocket fire and air strikes between the two sides. It is reported that 258 Palestinians, three quarters of them civilians, have died since the start of the wider Israeli operation on 8 July.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine stretches back decades, with many attempts for a peace settlement that remains elusive. In 1982, Arena filmed the Israeli novelist Amos Oz in his home town of Jerusalem, where he talks about his desire to create a dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. He believed that discussing their shared, albeit antagonistic, past could provide an avenue for understanding between young people on opposing sides. Oz takes a walk through Jerusalem, reflecting on his own experiences during the 1967 Six Day War and the complexities of the Palestinian-Israeli relationship.

Israeli writer Amos Oz discusses his work on the conflict between Israel and Palestine

Arena: A Walk With Amos Oz (1988). Directed by Dennis Marks, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

DYLAN THOMAS'S LOVE LETTERS AUCTIONED

Dylan Thomas letters

Three unpublished early love letters written by poet Dylan Thomas to his wife, Caitlin Macnamara, have been sold at auction for £11,250. Thomas met Caitlin in the spring of 1936 after the two were introduced by the artist August John, and were married soon after. In these letters Thomas declared his love for Caitlin: "When I think of you doing anything, anything at all, I feel so many hundreds of miles and days away from (me) that I want to lie down and howl like a dog at all the cruel, uncharitable things that muddle us up and won't let us be together".

Dylan and Caitlin had a famously tempestuous and often destructive relationship; an inscription in one of his poetry bookes read "From Dylan to Caitlin. Adoringly - in spite". Arena's 2003 film 'Dylan Thomas: Grave to Cradle" uncovers the truth of the poet's life and death, including his relationship with Caitlin. The couple were both unfaithful, yet could not keep away from each other. Here, Caitlin gives a shocking account of their behaviour towards one another before Dylan's death in 1953.

An insight into the life of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas

Arena: Dylan Thomas - Grave to Cradle (2003). Directed by Nigel Williams

AN ASTRONAUT'S GUIDE TO LIFE ON EARTH

2013-10-29T17:19:19+00:00

Commander Chris Hadfield discusses his new book, An Astronaut's Guide to Life.

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has just released his memoir detailing the wonders of space travel. Speaking on Radio 4's Today Programme, Hadfield discusses his new book and his experiences on the International Space Station, where he famously filmed a version of Bowie's 'Space Oddity', which went viral on youtube.

Chris Hadfield follows in a long tradition of astronauts and cosmonauts who have taken thier favourite music into space. In a 1993 documentary The Last Soviet Citizen, Arena told the story of Soviet Space culture across three decades. During their time on the MIR space station the cosmonauts would listen to classical, big band and Russian folk music whilst floating in space.

Russian Cosmonauts discuss their musical experiences whilst living on the Space Station

Arena: The Last Soviet Citizen (1993). Directed by Leslie Woodhead, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

SIR ALEX FERGUSON RELEASES AUTOBIOGRAPHY

2013-10-22T14:01:45+00:00

Radio 4: The Today Programme

After retiring as manager of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson has published his autobiography to be released later today. It is expected to be the most influential book about football to-date, revealing the truth behind the beautiful game. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, heard here on Radio 4's Today Programme joked "we all fear the worst."

Back in 1997, when Manchester United were dominating the Premiere League, Arena filmed a rare interview with Alex Ferguson who talked about his mentor, the legendary football manager Jock Stein. 'The Football Men' examines the lives and careers of the three greatest football managers Britain has ever seen - Sir Matt Busby, Jock Stein and Bill Shankly, all born within a few miles of each other in the coalfields of South Glasgow. Sportswriter Hugh McIlvanney talks to Sir Alex about the influence of Jock Stein on his early days of football management and where he developed his notorious 'hairdryer' treatment.

Sir Alex Ferguson discuss the influence of Jock Stein on his management style.

Arena: The Football Men (1997), Directed by Francis Hanly, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

SNOWDEN LEAKS WORSE THAN CAMBRIDGE SPY RING

2013-10-11T10:33:22+00:00

Andrew Parker, head of MI5 warns of the damage done through leaking GCHQ documents

Andrew Parker, Director General of MI5 made his first speech since taking over as head of the Security Service in April, warning of the damage done through leaking documents from GCHQ. Following this, former No.10 adviser Sir David Omand said he assumed data leaked by Edward Snowden was being analysed by Russia and China, making this breach worse than that by the Cambridge spy ring in the 1950s.

Perhaps the most notorious double agent in British histroy was Kim Philby, former head of MI6 and part of the group of officials who met in Cambridge University and passed on information to the Soviet Union in the 1950s. In The Graham Greene Triolgy (1993), Arena interviewed Philby as he recalls his encounter with writer Graham Greene, who ended up in the Secret Service after signing up for the National Service aged 36. Deemed an inappropriate candidate for the army, Greene's papers were sent over to the Secret Service and fell into the hands of none other than Kim Philby.

Arena interviews former head of MI6 Kim Philby on his encounter with writer Graham Greene

Arena: The Graham Greene Trilogy (1993), Directed by Donald Sturrock, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

For more on the history of spies, take a look at Adam Curtis' blog post 'Bugger', which features the unedited rushes of Kim Philby's funeral in Moscow back in 1987

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/posts/BUGGER

Obituary: Carolyn Cassady (1923 - 2013)

2013-09-25T15:03:33+00:00

Writer and photographer Carolyn Cassady, born on the 28 April 1923, died last week on 20 September 2013. The American writer was associated with the Beat Generation through her marriage to Neal Cassady and relationship with Jack Kerouac. Kerouac’s most famous novel On The Road (1957) was based on the cross country journey he made from New York to California with Neal Cassady – depicted as Dean Moriarty in the novel. The character Camille, continually abandoned by Moriarty in San Francisco, was based on Carolyn, who at the time was looking after the first of her and Neal’s three children.

Carolyn Cassady Postcard Photo

Carolyn Cassady message

In 2007, Carolyn Cassady sent this postcard to Arena after receiving a copy of the film Arena: Jack Kerouac, directed by Lewis MacAdams and Richard Lerner. The photograph, taken by Carolyn in 1952 shows her ‘two husbands’ Cassady and Kerouac.

Arena: Jack Kerouac was made in 1988 and profiled the life and death of the Beat writer. The film was mainly shot and produced in the US at a time when Carolyn Cassady had relocated to the UK. As a consequence, Carolyn was overlooked in the initial version but Arena tracked her down as a key witness to this influential period.

She recalls the spring of 1952 when Jack Kerouac stayed with the Cassady’s while writing On The Road and Visions of Cody. It was during this time that her relationship with the two men became ever more complex. The photographs featured in this clip were taken by Carolyn throughout this period.

Carolyn Cassady discusses relationship with Jack Kerouac and husband Neal Cassady.

Arena: Jack Kerouac (1988). Directed by Lewis MacAdams and Richard Lerner. Series Editors - Anthony Wall and Nigel Finch.

STEPHEN KING PENS SEQUEL TO 'THE SHINING'

2013-09-20T08:13:24+00:00

Stephen King discusses new novel 'Doctor Sleep', the sequel to 1977 classic 'The Shining'

After 36 years, Stephen King has at last relented and written a sequel to his 1977 novel, The Shining. Doctor Sleep revisits the character of the young son in The Shining, Danny Torrance - now a middle-aged man struggling to come to terms with his psychic powers.

In the above BBC interview with Will Gompertz, Stephen King criticises Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film version of the novel. When asked if he liked it Stephen replies, “No, it was cold. I am not a cold guy. I think one of the things that people relate to in my books is a warmth, there’s a reaching out and saying to the reader, I want you to be part of this.”

Kubrick’s Shining starred Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall as the doomed couple stranded in the Overlook hotel. During production Kubrick’s daughter, Vivian, was given full access to roam the set at Elstree Studios. With a 16mm camera, Vivian captured the rehearsals and antics of the actors on set, which became the 1980 Arena film Making ‘The Shining’.

In this clip from the Arena film, Jack Nicholson prepares for the iconic bathroom scene and we meet the young actor Danny Lloyd, who plays the young Danny Torrance. In later years Danny Lloyd left the acting profession to become a science teacher, hopefully earning more than the ‘two Dollars’ he expected to earn from The Shining.

Behind the scenes of 'The Shining' - Jack Nicholson prepares for the iconic bathroom scene