The Culture Scene - podcast cover

The Culture Scene

BBC Radio Scotlandwww.bbc.co.uk

Inspiring stories of creativity from across the vibrant arts scene in Scotland. A weekly podcast hosted by Nicola Meighan and a series of short films.

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Episodes

Barbara Dickson and Anna Meredith

Nicola chats to folk singer, pop star and legend of stage and screen, Barbara Dickson about her latest album, My Own Adventure, and her final full-band tour across Scotland, plus composer Anna Meredith on writing Jodie Comer's latest film score.

Jan 19, 202432 min

Ncuti Gatwa and Jim Kerr of Simple Minds

Ncuti Gatwa on Doctor Who, Barbie and how Scotland shaped him. Plus Jim Kerr chats new documentary, Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible, reflecting on how a couple of kids who met in the shadow of a Glasgow tower-block made some of the most forward-looking, and exciting music of all-time.

Dec 22, 202339 min

Adura Onashile on her Debut Feature Girl, BAFTA Scotland winner Shirley Henderson, Composer Craig Armstrong, and Doctor Who

Award-winning Glasgow based Theatre artist and filmmaker Adura Onashile on her Debut Feature Film Girl. BAFTA Scotland winner Shirley Henderson on her award for Outstanding Contribution to Film and TV, in recognition of an incredible 30 years of screen acting,, Composer Craig Armstrong celebrates 20 years of Love Actually with a new album which revisits, extends and expands upon the film's timeless score. Author Jenny Colgan has written myriad episodes and stories for the series; she and TV crit...

Nov 24, 202332 min

Alan Cumming on ageing and Cher songwriter Paul Barry

Alan Cumming talks to Janice Forsyth about society's obsession with ageing in his upcoming show Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age and 25 years on from Cher's song Believe hitting No 1 in the UK Charts, Michelle McManus hears from Edinburgh born Paul Barry about co-writing this timeless classic. And Glasgow born Outlander, Vigil and Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle talks about playing the lead in a new Highland-set horror movie called Mercy Falls.

Nov 10, 202331 min

Poet and playwright Liz Lochhead and actor Ashley Jensen

Liz Lochhead, poet, playwright and former Makar - Scotland's national poet - tells Nicola about her new book, A Handsel, which features new poems alongside all her previous collections. And Scottish actor Ashley Jensen, who recently starred in the television adaptation of Andrew O'Hagan's Mayflies, talks to Janice about taking up the lead role in the new series of Shetland.

Nov 03, 202337 min

The 2023 Scottish Album of the Year Award

The Culture Scene Podcast brings you highlights from the 2023 SAY Awards, with chats from nominees, performers, and three time SAY Award winner’s Young Fathers.

Oct 27, 202330 min

Jack Jester, Paisley Chimes Project, and The Royal National Mòd

Michelle McManus chats to Scottish wrestler Jack Jester ahead of his upcoming show. We hear all about the Paisley Chimes Project, a major project to restore the sounds of history as Paisley Town Hall's Carillon comes back to life. And Michelle chats to Joy Dunlop about the Royal National Mòd which returns to Paisley for the first time in 10 years.

Oct 13, 202334 min

Nicola Meighan at the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival

Nicola Meighan takes you behind the scenes at Bloody Scotland, the annual international crime writing festival which takes place in Stirling. Guests include Lin Anderson, Prof Lorna Dawson, Marisa Haeztman, Abir Mukherjee, Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre, Arusa Quareshi and Pauline MacLean.

Sep 15, 202325 min

The cast of Still Game reunite, Karen Dunbar on tour, and Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves on the chart topping album debut

The cast of Still Game reunite 21 years since they first graced TV screens to chat about their anniversary tour around Scotland – People Huv Tae Know: An Audience with Gavin Mitchell, Paul Riley, Sanjeev Kohli, Jane McGarry and Mark Cox. The actors behind beloved Craiglang characters Boabby, Tam, Navid and Isa tell Nicola more. Comedian & DJ Karen Dunbar is off on tour, and West Lothian band Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves chat their debut album which has gone straight to the top of the S...

Sep 08, 202333 min

Nicola Benedetti, writer and actor Duncan Campbell, Gail Porter, and The Bay City Rollers

Nicola checks in with Nicola Benedetti about her first year in the post of festival director of the EIF, we hear from Gail Porter about her Fringe show. And Bay City Rollers are in the studio for an exclusive conversation about their return to performing and recording. Duncan and Danny Campbell speak to Michelle about moving show The Suicide Notes.

Aug 18, 202333 min

Nicola Meighan brings you theatre and comedy from the heart of the Edinburgh Festival.

Nicola Meighan rounds up the best Scottish content at this year's Edinburgh Festival. Cora Bissett is back with her smash-hit, gig-theatre show, charting the true story of Cora Bissett's rollercoaster journey from 90s indie-kid to wised-up woman. Touring with Radiohead, partying with Blur, she was living the dream. Until she wasn't. We also hear about her new short film being show and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Three-time Booker-nominated author Andrew O'Hagan brings his first ev...

Aug 11, 202328 min

Sir Grayson Perry, Christian Noelle Charles, and the Alasdair Taylor Retrospective

Nicola Meighan catches up with Sir Grayson Perry who's biggest exhibition has just opened at the National Galleries of Scotland and Christian Noelle Charles, a visual artist from New York State describes her exhibition What A Feeling! I Act 1 at Edinburgh Printmakers centre. She also hears about Alasdair Taylor, one of Scotland’s most enigmatic and influential painters of the 20th century, whose work is being celebrated in a retrospective exhibition in Ayr.

Jul 28, 202332 min

Filmmaker Etienne Kubwabo, Braw Clan theatre, Mark Cousins, and The Vintage Explosion

Filmmaker and comic writer Etienne Kubwabo talks about his debut feature film; The Vintage Explosion and harmonicist Judd Lander talk about their unlikely encounter; documentary filmmaker Mark Cousins discusses his new Alfred Hitchcock biopic; and the theatre company that perform plays in Scots, Braw Clan, tell all about their new production.

Jul 21, 202327 min

The Little Black Dress Exhibition, Mull Historical Society, Sir Ian Rankin, and Eddi Reader

The National Museum of Scotland is about to launch a big new exhibition about the cultural phenomenon that is the little black dress, Nicola went for a sneak peak and chats with its curator; and Colin Macintyre - AKA Mull Historical Society – tells all about his new album which features collaborations with 13 leading writers including Liz Lochhead, Sir Ian Rankin and Val McDermid.

Jun 30, 202337 min
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