Arts Wednesday 30 December 2020

I know I said goodbye to 2020 last Wednesday, but I’m standing in for Bronwyn this week and it will be another “best of…”

I’m starting with a marvellous conversation from March this year with Jonathan Bryant. Jonathan is the heritage consultant for the State Theatre, the grand old dame of theatres and one of the few still standing, in almost the same condition as when it opened. It’s a great story!

I’ll be playing music from those early days of the State Theatre – 1920’s and 30’s – when it showed films (talkies), musicals and its own orchestra and ballet.

By way of contrast, I’ll play a conversation I recorded way back in November 2013 with Wu Man, who is the world’s leading exponent of the pipa, often described as the Chinese lute. The two make for an interesting contrast.

Please keep me company.