Ian Denyer
One of the world’s greatest living writers - Hilary Mantel - delves into her past and present, intertwining the themes of the Wolf Hall trilogy with stories from her own life.
Historian Lucy Worsley restages the 1840 wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Aided by a team of experts, Worsley recreates the most important elements of the ceremony and the celebrations, scouring history books, archives, newspapers and Queen Victoria's diaries for the details. She reveals how every moment was brilliantly stage-managed for maximum effect. Woven into the recreation of the wedding day is the story of Victoria and Albert's courtship and engagement, and its political importance.
Ken Dodd: How Tickled We Were tells Sir Ken’s story from his boyhood growing up in the 1930’s in Knotty Ash, through his big break into show business and then on to his unrivalled career in entertainment. Poignant and uplifting, the programme features interviews with the people who knew Sir Ken best - friends and family in Liverpool and beyond, and his many colleagues, admirers and fellow-performers from the world of entertainment. The programme also features an interview with Sir Ken’s wife, Lady Anne Dodd.
Documentary about the life of Larry Grayson, the English comedian and television presenter who was best known in the 1970s and early '80s.
John Travolta, Barry Gibb and the Saturday Night Fever cast and crew tell the story behind the mega-hit film. Bruno Tonioli goes through the disco steps that made movie history.
Artist Ryan Gander explores Japan's highly sophisticated visual culture, expressed through images and symbols. He makes unexpected connections between everything from geisha to tattoo art.
Patricia Routledge, as patron of the Beatrix Potter Society, presents a documentary on the author's life and work.
Joanna Lumley travels to the USA to follow in the King of Rock 'n' Roll's footsteps.
In Pride And Prejudice: Having A Ball, social historian Amanda Vickery leads the action as a team of experts recreate a Regency ball in honour of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s popular novel. Joined by Alastair Sooke and a coterie of professionals – a food historian, a costume expert, music history academics and a choreographer who trains a team of dance students to take to the floor– cameras will follow the recreation inspired by Austen’s Netherfield ball. This intimate country house ball drives the plot of the Pride And Prejudice, and is a key turning point in the romance between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy.
Ceramics expert Lars Tharp, Antiques Roadshow resident and presenter of Treasures of Chinese Porcelain, has picked his six favourite pieces representing Chinese taste. He goes on a journey through a thousand years of Chinese history, travelling from the ancient capital of Huangzhou in the south to Beijing's Forbidden City in the north, to uncover what these six pieces tell us about Chinese emperors, scholars, workers, merchants and artists. To him, they are China in ceramic form. But can they help us to understand China today?
A look at the man behind the popular Narnia series, through the eyes of his biographer A.N. Wilson.
The Rabbit is the world's belling-selling vibrator. In the past year alone, millions have been sold all over the globe. Now experts are warning the Rabbit is becoming the new addiction; women who start using often find they simply cannot stop. RABBIT FEVER is the first film to follow the trials and tribulations of a group of Rabbit Addicts as they attempt to kick their Rabbit habit.
Want to know what life is like on tour with the Spice Girls? Well here's your chante to get inside the real SpiceWorld. In June 1998, the world's most successful all-girl band wen on tour all over America performing over 40 shows in 35 US cities and America discovered Spice Fever! This rare, behind-the scenes portrait is the story of the Spice Girls' sell-out tour of forty shows, following their progress as they cope with the pressures of life in a world of tour buses & private jets, press conferences & performances. Played out alongside the highs & lows of the World Cup, this is the story of life in the Spice bubble - of photo shoots, TV appearances, shopping trips, hotel rooms & the stresses & strains of life on the long and winding road. "A Tour History" is a unique & intimate snapshot of the Spice Girls during an American summer they will never forget.
Michael Grade reveals the story of General Tom Thumb, the world's first global show business celebrity who went from humble beginnings in America to international superstardom.
