Interviews with leading figures from the arts
theartsdesk Q&A: actor Gemma Whelan
Saturday, 11 April 2020
She's not quite a household name yet, but Leeds-born Gemma Whelan is heading speedily in that direction. Having started out as a standup comedian, winning the Funny Women Variety Award in 2010, Whelan began notching up film and TV roles, en route to making a significant breakthrough by being cast as Yara Greyjoy in HBO's Game of Thrones.
Remembering John Prine, one of the great American singer-songwriters
Wednesday, 08 April 2020
John Prine, who has died at the age of 73 from a Covid 19-related illness, was one of the great American folk poets. Having spent his early adulthood pounding the sidewalks as a mailman in Chicago, he never quite shucked that blue-collar aura of the working man's minstrel.
Director Marjane Satrapi: ‘The real question is...
Friday, 20 March 2020
Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian-born French filmmaker, has a reputation that precedes her. Her upbringing was the subject of the acclaimed films...
10 Questions for Irina Nalis
Thursday, 19 March 2020
Normally we'd put a descriptor - "cellist", "film maker", "techno producer" for example - in the title of this interview, but for Irina Nalis there...
Roy Hudd: 'I was just trying to make '...
Monday, 16 March 2020
Roy Hudd, who has died at the age of 83, was the last link to the age of entertainment before television. Born in 1936, he entered the business just...
theartsdesk Q&A: musician Rick McMurray
Ash drummer on 25 years as an indie rock teen titan |
Actress Noémie Merlant: 'This is something that hasn't been told yet'
The star of 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' talks about a film that asserts the female gaze, behind and in front of the camera |
theartsdesk Q&A: soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn
Returning to ENO to sing Verdi's Luisa Miller, a great singer-actor reflects |
'She was revolutionary': Tanztheater Wuppertal's new director on the legacy of Pina Bausch
Bettina Wagner-Bergelt talks violence and taped music in a monumental early masterpiece |
Filmmaker Agnieszka Holland: 'Without journalism, democracy will not survive'
'Mr Jones' director discusses why she's fascinated by Europe's darkest hours |
theartsdesk Q&A: Conductor Olari Elts in Tallinn
From contemporary ensemble to top orchestra, the latest major Estonian has arrived |
'In every concert, I want to try to tell a story': Conductor Omer Meir Wellber at the BBC Philharmonic
The new man in Manchester discusses past, present and future |
theartsdesk Q&A: Director Sir Jonathan Miller
The legendary director lets rip |
10 Questions for Techno Musician Carl Craig
Catching up with the prince of Detroit techno as he revives an old alter ego |
'Shakespeare is mistakenly considered something for the elite': director Claire McCarthy on 'Ophelia'
Upcoming adaptation shines a new light on Shakespeare's famous tragic maiden |
'By the end I’d lost me': Joe Simpson, mountaineer and writer - interview
The story of Touching the Void has been told and retold. Its author explores its appeal |
'I’m having too much fun writing novels': author Nicolas Searle on The Good Liar
Writer explains the journey from debut novel to prestige film |
theartsdesk Q&A: Shakespears Sister
After 27 years they're back and chatting about reconciliation, yoga, the desert, Bananarama, and much more |
10 Questions for musician Craig Finn
Hold Steady frontman on his "more vulnerable" solo work and mental health on the road |
theartsdesk Q&A: Gianandrea Noseda on conducting Mahler and the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra
The Italian conductor reflects after a blazing 'Resurrection' at the Tsinandali Festival |
'A laboratory for everything': Jasper Parrott on the future of his classical music agency
As Harrison Parrott celebrates 50 years with concerts on Sunday, its main mover reflects |
10 Questions for conductor Charles Hazlewood
The man with the baton talks books, Brexit, minimalism, techno and time machines |
10 Questions for author Martin Gayford
The prolific writer on his love of art and jazz, and what makes a good writer |
theartsdesk Q&A: composer Alastair White on his new opera ROBE
Emerging Scottish talent describes creating layers of reality in his latest work |
theartsdesk Q&A: Lia Williams on the challenges of theatre
As 'The Night of the Iguana' opens, the actor renowned for playing dual roles talks Tennessee Williams, Pinter - and Wallis Simpson |
Bob Dylan Special - theartsdesk Q&A: Scarlet Rivera
The violinist on 'Desire' and 'Rolling Thunder Revue' talks about working with Dylan at his peak |
'I wrote a letter to Björk in Icelandic and it did the trick': Helgi Tomasson on an intervention that saved a ballet
The artistic director of San Francisco Ballet heralds its all-new season at Sadler's Wells |
Chamber Music, Brighton Festival 2019 review - Wu-Tang Clan depths divined
The social and musical roots of the Wu-Tang Clan's debut discussed |
10 Questions for Cellist Raphael Wallfisch
On composers in exile, the forgotten beauty of English cello concertos, and why you shouldn’t mess with Beethoven |
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