The South Bank Show Season 37
The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show that was produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
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The South Bank Show Season 37 Full Episode Guide
Melvyn Bragg meets Judi Dench at the Rose Theatre in Kingston where she was recently performing in Midsummer Night’s Dream, re-uniting her with long time friend and collaborator, Sir Peter Hall, who is directing the production.
Melvyn Bragg presents a new interview with acting legend Ian McKellen, who has been a subject of the show three times before, beginning in 1981. From the earnest young man discussing the craft of acting and his passion for the theatre to the established film star who attributed his newfound emotional freedom to having publicly come out, the programme comes up to date with McKellen's life and career.
Melvyn Bragg interviews the novelist Ian McEwan, focusing on his latest novel 'Saturday', which follows the day in the life of a successful neurosurgeon Henry Perowne set against the background of protest against the Iraq War. In addition Bragg also looks at the author's life and previous work. McEwan's style has moved from macabre short stories to novels which test and explore their characters ruling ethos (particularly an interest in science). McEwan makes for a engaging and thoughtful interviewee who can often be fascinating, even for those not familiar with his work.