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Horrible Histories on TV; ballerina Tamara Rojo; Mozart's Sister

John Wilson meets the makers of Horrible Histories on TV, dancer Tamara Rojo on taking over English National Ballet, and the verdict on a film about Mozart's sister.

With John Wilson.

Prima Ballerina Tamara Rojo will be the new Artistic Director of English National Ballet, it was announced today. She discusses what this means for her dancing career and how she intends to strike the difficult balance between choreographic innovation and balancing the books.

The children's TV series Horrible Histories returned this week, offering a comic take on often gruesome parts of the past. Series producer Caroline Norris and actor Simon Farnaby talk about how they take inspiration from adult shows such as Blackadder, and the role of their musical numbers, including turning RAF fighter pilots into a dancing boy band.

The new film Mozart's Sister argues that she - like her brother - was a musical prodigy, but was prevented from performing or composing because of the period's repressive attitudes towards women. Nicholas Kenyon, managing director of the Barbican Centre, London, reviews.

Roger Ballen's photographs of working-class white South African life are renowned for their square, black and white format, and uncompromising subject matter. As a retrospective of his 30 year career opens at Manchester Art Gallery, he reflects on how he hopes his camera captures the souls of his subjects.

Producer: Philippa Ritchie.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Horrible Histories

    • Horrible Histories

      Series producer Caroline Norris and actor Simon Farnaby talk about how this children's programme is inspired by adult shows.

      Duration: 07:53

  • Tamara Rojo

    • Tamara Rojo

      An interview with ballerina Tamara Rojo.

      Duration: 06:40

  • Mozart's Sister

    • Mozart's Sister

      A review of the film Mozart's Sister.

      Duration: 05:44

  • Roger Ballen

    • Roger Ballen

      An interview with photographer Roger Ballen.

      Duration: 07:44

Broadcast

  • Fri 13 Apr 2012 19:15

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