07/03/2012

03/07/12 • 41 min

Libby Purves is joined by singer David Essex; fashion designer Ozwald Boateng; conservationist Dame Daphne Sheldrick and actor and artist James Burke-Dunsmore.

Ozwald Boateng is a British menswear designer who received his first suit at the age of five. A new documentary, 'A Man's Story', charts his career from the opening of his own store on London's Savile Row, to becoming creative director of French fashion house Givenchy. Away from the catwalk, the film reveals the toll the business has taken on his personal life. A Man's Story is out in UK cinemas.

David Essex is a musician and actor. Initially unsuccessful as a drummer and singer, his lucky break was in 'Godspell' in 1971. Within a year he was starring in the film 'That'll Be the Day' and had his first No. 1 single, Rock On. In a career spanning forty years, he went on to star in the West End musicals 'Evita' and 'Mutiny', which he wrote. He also recently appeared in Eastenders as Eddie Moon. 'Over the Moon: My Autobiography' is published by Virgin Books.

Dame Daphne Sheldrick worked alongside her husband David, the legendary warden of Kenya's Tsavo East National Park, rearing and rehabilitating orphaned wild animals. Since David's death in 1977, Daphne has become internationally known for her work with orphaned elephants and rhinos, establishing the 'David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust' in his memory. Her book Love, Life and Elephants: An African Life Story is published by Penguin/Viking.

James Burke-Dunsmore is an actor and director who specialises in playing Jesus Christ in passion plays around the country. He plays Jesus Christ in The Passion of Jesus in London's Trafalgar Square on Good Friday. He is also an artist whose work is inspired by wildlife.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Libby Purves is joined by singer David Essex; fashion designer Ozwald Boateng; conservationist Dame Daphne Sheldrick and actor and artist James Burke-Dunsmore.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Previous Episode

29/02/2012

Libby Purves meets actor Pauline Quirke who is probably best known for the BBC comedy series 'Birds of a Feather' playing loveable loud-mouth Sharon Theodopolopodous. Her first acting role was in Dixon of Dock Green and most recently she appeared in 'Emmerdale'. She has also set up the Pauline Quirke Academy, teaching acting to young people. Her book, 'Where Have I Gone?' is published by Bantam Press.

Shelley Bridgman is a psychotherapist and stand-up comedian who recently won the first ever Silver Stand Up comedy award for the over 55s at the Leicester Comedy Festival and Palestinian director Amir Nizar Zuabi who is directing 'A Comedy of Errors' as part of the World Shakespeare Festival.

Photographer Dennis Morris started taking photographs as a young boy and at eleven had one of his photographs printed on the front page of the Daily Mirror. In his book Growing Up Black, he charts not just the history of the black British experience but Britain itself, capturing intimate moments within the black community and domestic life in 1960s and 70s Hackney, East London, where he lived. Growing Up Black is published by Autograph ABP.

Producer: Paula McGinley.

Next Episode

14/03/2012

Libby Purves is joined by former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard; singer and songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan; actor and dancer Adam Cooper and scenographer Pamela Howard.

Gilbert O'Sullivan is a three time Ivor Novello-winning singer and songwriter responsible for the hits 'Alone Again (Naturally)' and the UK No.1s 'Clair' and 'Get Down'. This year he is celebrating 45 years in the music industry by releasing his greatest hits album, 'A Singer and His Songs - The Very Best Of Gilbert O'Sullivan' and embarking on a UK tour.

Former boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard was known as an artist and a showman in the ring, having gruelling encounters with Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. His autobiography, 'The Big Fight' tells of his humble beginnings through to an Olympic gold medal, championship titles, retirements and comebacks as well as drug and alcohol abuse. The Big Fight is published by Ebury Press.

Adam Cooper is a former Principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, who has now turned to acting and choreography. He is currently playing Don Lockwood in the musical, Singin' In The Rain at London's Palace Theatre.

Pamela Howard OBE is a scenographer and theatre director. She is curating an exhibition, The Art of Chichester Festival Theatre: A Celebration, to mark the 50th anniversary of Chichester Festival Theatre. The exhibition celebrates the ways in which visual theatre artists responded to the challenge of designing for the first purpose-built thrust stage in the UK. The Art of Chichester Festival Theatre: A Celebration is at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.

Producer: Paula McGinley.