The South Bank Show 37

Andrew Lloyd Webber (2010)

Billy Connolly Revisited (2010)

Ian McEwan Revisited (2010)

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.

Ian McKellen (2010)

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.

Stephen Sondheim (2010)