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Sylvie Guillem, Iris reviewed, Fiftieth anniversary of Help!, Aurora Orchestra

Arts news with John Wilson, including dancer Sylvie Guillem on her final performances, the 50th anniversary of Help!, the Aurora Orchestra and a review of new documentary Iris.

The acclaimed ballet and contemporary dancer Sylvie Guillem reflects on her final programme of work Life in Progress, a Sadler's Wells production at London's Coliseum. The performances include new and existing work by choreographers who have influenced her contemporary career.

The late Albert Maysels's last documentary is Iris, a portrayal of 93 year old New York fashion icon Iris Apfel. Her story is full of colour, from her design projects at the White House to her own line of bold accessories and the retrospective show at the Metropolitan Museum which brought her fame in 2005. Rachel Cooke reviews.

Nicholas Collon is the Principal Conductor of the Aurora Orchestra. A British chamber orchestra formed in 2005, they've gained a reputation for taking an unexpected approach to classical music. True to their ethos, at last year's Proms they performed Mozart's 40th Symphony from memory - this year they take on Beethoven's 6th, the Pastoral Symphony - an even greater challenge. So what are the gains in playing from memory - and what could possibly go wrong?!

As the Beatles' film Help! turns 50 this week, Kate Mossman considers why films where pop stars play versions of themselves have disappeared from screens, replaced by warts and all behind the scenes documentaries.

Presenter : John Wilson
Producer : Dymphna Flynn.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Sylvie Guillem

    Duration: 07:48

  • Iris

    Duration: 04:47

  • The Aurora Orchestra

    Duration: 08:39

  • Help! at 50

    Duration: 06:30

Sylvie Guillem

Sylvie Guillem

Life in Progress, produced by Sadler’s Wells, is at the this week, Edinburgh from 8 – 10 Aug and in Birmingham on 8 & 9 September as part of a world tour.

Photo: Gillies Tapie

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Iris

Iris
Iris is released on Friday 31 July, certificate 12A.

The Aurora Orchestra

The Aurora Orchestra
is playing at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms on Sunday 2 August at 3.30pm.

Help! at 50

Help! at 50
Kate Mossman looks at the film Help! 50 years on.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Sylvie Guillem
Interviewed Guest Nicholas Collon
Interviewed Guest Rachel Cooke
Interviewed Guest Kate Mossman
Producer Dymphna Flynn

Broadcast

  • Mon 27 Jul 2015 19:15

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

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