The Arts Programme

Rob & Claire speak this week to the co-authors of the book Girl with a Gun - a story of love, loss and the fight for freedom in Iran. 

There's also the usual Take Five track to encourage you to relax and some tips for where to experience the arts whilst at home. 

Claire and Rob are joined in the studio by Jodie Bowen from Billiercay Theatre. A new local theatre offering performances and classes to the local area. 

They are also joined by Abi Daré - author of The Girl With The Louding Voice prior to her planned talk as part of the Essex Book Festival. Abi talks about grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and now lives in Essex. She tells Claire and Rob about how her background has influenced her writing and about her first novel.

The usual Take Five slot gives a chance to kick back and relax, and Claire tests Rob's knowledge of who said what inspirational qoute.

Local history writer Lisa Horner joins Claire and Rob in the studio to talk about her work. Lisa has written two books about Basildon and is a member of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Highly appropriate on this International Women's Day episode.

Four young members of The Frances Drama School also stop by to tell us about their forthcoming production of Oliver! at the Palace Theatre Southend. 

There's discussion around people's memories of school productions and the usual ecletic range of music from High School Musical to Simon & Garfunkel.

Claire and Rob are joined on the programme this week by Jennifer Potter author of The Jamestown Brides and one of the writers at this year's Essex Book Festival.  Jennifer talks about her latest book and her life as a writer. She even makes time to answer questions from local teenage writer Roselia Stratton. Roselia talks about her writing and how she won a national writing competition.

After the usual Take Five slot we are joined by three members of the band Ocean Flaws. They tells us about their background and ambitions for the future and we play their latest single.

Followers and listeners share their favourite books based on true stories.

Comedy is the theme of this episode as Claire and Rob talk to Jarred Christmas, a comedian from New Zealand who now lives and works in the United Kingdom. Later on they are joined in the studio by fellow Phoenix Radio presenter Daren Mootoo to talk about the comedy nights he is behind at Billericay Cricket Club.

During the week followers had been asked to choose their favourite comedies and the playlist reflects some of these with tracks featuring Victoria Wood,   Rob Brydon and Flight of the Conchords among others. There's also a song showing the musical talents of Hugh Laurie.

Claire and Rob are joined in the studio for this week's Arts Programme by organist and conductor David Pickthall. David joins in the discussion around this week's theme - covers, and tells us about the David Pickthall Big Band.

The co-hosts are also joined on the phone by 2018 winner of The Voice Ruti. She tells us what she has been up to since winning the renowned TV music talent programme.

18 year old singer songwriter and Hip Hop internet radio co-host Crowie joins frontman of Finding Miranda, soloist and fellow presenter on PhoenixFM Chay Appleyard as guests on this week's programme. 

Rob and Charlotte host this supercalifragilistic edition which highlights some of the festivals to look out for in 2020, reviews theatre and exhibitions as well as trying to pick out some of the winners of the 92nd Academy Awards. 

Claire talks to entrepreneur and professional photographer Carmel Jane and plays a range of music to get you through your Sunday afternoon.

This week Claire and Rob interview film and theatre actress Tara Divina (Blinded by the Light). 

Local emerging artist Jonathan O'Neill comes in to the studio to talk about his ambitions and plays an original song live in the studio.

Jamie Fudge, Martin Harris and Alli Smith from Shenfield Operatic also drop by to talk to us about their new production of The Producers.

It's a musical theme this week with songs from the shows past, present and future with a sit back and relax Take Five moment provided by Cellist Shaku Kanneh-Mason in between.

This week Claire and Rob are joined in the studio by Spoken Word artist Russeni speaking about his new film Sorry Fi Disturb Ya. Followers of the programme share their favourite lines from films, poetry and theatre.

Matt Barry from Blue Serif also joins a crowded studio of young observers to talk about the work of a creative design agency and how to promote your brand and the Take Five slot plays Dexter Gordon.

The Arts Programme on Phoenix Radio this Sunday welcomed two guests. Jill Busby is a Brentwood based artist creating sculpture and mixed media art using her fine art, ceramics and graphic design background. Dr Liam Jarvis is a researcher and theatre maker as well as a senior lecturer at the University of Essex. Liam's latest book - Immersive Embodiment - looks at the relationship between performance and technology.

Claire and Rob invited listeners to contribute what tracks they listen to when running, cooking, writing...anything really! And there was the usual round up of What's On for people in and around Brentwood and Billericay.

As Claire was away this week Charlotte kindly stepped in to co-host this week's programme with Rob. Guests were Edd Buckley, TV Researcher and Digital Assistant Producer on the X Factor, as well as new young singer/songwriter Chelsey. Listeners were also invited to send in their nominations for their favourite books, films, exhibitions and shows of 2019 as we looked back on the year.

The second edition of a new Arts magazine programme for PhoenixFM Radio (98.0) presented by Claire Gevaux and Rob West.

Guests this week include film maker and reviewer Christian Haywood and Suzanne Kuyser from the Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society. The programme also introduces their own 'Betty on the Box' with tips for what to watch over the holiday season.

There are numerous suggestions for listeners favourite Christmas movies and the Phoenix Rising slot plays from the new EP Tanpura by Wreckless.

This episode was produced and aired on Sunday 15th December in Brentwood, Essex.

The inaugral episode of the new weekly Arts Programme for Phoenix FM - The Arts Programme presented by Claire Gevuax and Rob West