RADIO CHOICE
TATUM SWITHENBANK endured the pain and discipline necessary to become a dancer, only to be diagnosed with a genetic condition that meant a career in dance was out of the question. In PAUSE THE PLIE (RADIO 4, 11.30AM), Tatum talks about what a dancer who can no longer perform can do to find an outlet for creativity.
RARE orchids blossom among the grasses of Cleeve
Common, fritillary butterflies flit from flower to flower, while beneath the surface, fossils and ancient artefacts lie hidden. For this week’s OPEN COUNTRY (RADIO 4, 3PM), the TV and radio presenter Sybil Ruscoe climbs up to this high stretch of land in Gloucestershire, and hears about the rare flora and fauna — as well as the thousands of years of history — that make the place so special.
sees the violinists Nicola Benedetti (pictured) and Alina Ibragimova taking their places in the cavernous auditorium of the Royal Albert Hall, where they will be joined by period instrument ensemble the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, under Jonathan Cohen. With no audience to soak up the sound, we’ll be able to hear this concert of works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel and Avison in perfect acoustic conditions — and tonight’s Prom is also showing on BBC4 at 8pm.