Main content

Wilko Johnson, Romeo and Juliet review, Walter de Maria

With guitarist Wilko Johnson talking about surviving terminal cancer, Kenneth Branagh's Romeo and Juliet reviewed and the first UK solo show of American artist Walter De Maria.

Wilko Johnson, the former Dr Feelgood guitarist and songwriter, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2013. In his new book, Don't You Leave Me Here: My Life, he takes stock of his life following an 11-hour, life-saving operation and looks forward to a future he wasn't expecting. Wilko Johnson discusses his extraordinary and unexpected change of fortune.

Kenneth Branagh's latest play in his year-long season at the Garrick Theatre is Romeo and Juliet. Lily James and Richard Madden star as the eponymous lovers, with Derek Jacobi as Mercutio and Meera Syal as the Nurse. Susannah Clapp reviews.

The late American artist Walter De Maria is best known for his large-scale works, including The Lightning Field, a grid of 400 stainless steel poles in the New Mexico desert, and The Vertical Earth Kilometer, a brass rod that extends 1 kilometre into the ground in the German city of Kassel. John Wilson talks to De Maria's assistant and former studio manager Elizabeth Childress and curator Kara Vander Weg about the artist's first solo exhibition in the UK.

Presenter: John Wilson
Producer: Rachel Simpson.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Wilko Johnson

    Duration: 14:05

  • Romeo and Juliet reviewed by Susannah Clapp

    Duration: 04:24

  • Walter De Maria

    Duration: 08:29

Wilko Johnson

Wilko Johnson
My Life by Wilko Johnson is published by Little Brown.

Image credit: David Burke 

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is playing at the until 13 August 2016. 

Image credit: Johan Persson. 

Walter De Maria

Walter De Maria
Walter De Maria is showing at the until 30 July 2016. 

Image credit: Jerome Weatherald 

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter John Wilson
Interviewed Guest Wilko Johnson
Interviewed Guest Susannah Clapp
Interviewed Guest Elizabeth Childress
Producer Rachel Simpson

Broadcast

  • Thu 26 May 2016 19:15

±«Óãtv Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast