Loose Ends

Stuart Maconie is joined in Salford by 'The Wizard of Prog', Rick Wakeman. A man who has lived life to excess, he's not short of stories, from working as a session musician with his friend David Bowie to joining, leaving and rejoining Yes and his creating solo extravaganzas such as 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII' and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table'. As well as regaling us with a few of these stories, Rick performs for us.
If Rick Wakeman is the Wizard of Prog then Oz Clarke is the Wizard of Wine. The man who taught Britain how to appreciate the grape has written 'A Vine is a Wild Thing' -an updated and revised edition of his classic guide 'Red & White'. Oz takes us through how our taste in Wine has matured over the years since he first graced our screens on Food and Drink, and what we should be drinking this Christmas.
Musician Nadine Shah has composed the soundtrack for a new production of King Lear, currently at the Royal Exchange in Manchester. She's also acting in it, taking on the role of Goneril.
Comedian Allyson June Smith hails from Canada and has made her home in Manchester. She's currently on tour with her 'Allyson Wonderland' Show.
And we're celebrating Halloween with a song from the 'Brechtian Punk Cabaret' trio 'The Tiger Lilles', ahead of their Songs For the Dead concert at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
Presenter: Stuart Maconie
Producer: Jessica Treen

Stuart Maconie is joined by performer, panto star and all round beam of joy Su Pollard, who has summed up her varied career in a memoir, 'Fully Charged'. Lloyd Griffith is a comedian, presenter and choirister, but today he's here as one of the stars of 'Return To Paradise. Naomi Katiyo stars as Sylvia Pankhurst in 'Sylvia: A Musical Revolution'. Actor, writer and theatre maker Emily Woof's latest novel 'Ecstatic' is inspired by the practise of Ecstatic dance and there's music from The Mary Wallopers, who are touring their new album 'Paddywhackery'.
Presenter: Stuart Maconie
Producer: Jessica Treen

Clive Anderson is joined by writer Alexander McCall Smith whose latest novel The Isle of Good Karma takes us on a life-changing trip from the Isle of Lewis to the Himalayas.
Comedian Marc Jennings is on tour with If & When, diving in to some of the headlines that have kept us busy over the last year.
A new production of Scottish classic The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is bringing the drama of Marcia Blaine School for Girls to audiences across Scotland - director Vicky Featherstone sheds a light on the production.
Plus music from Big Country Redux and Zoe Graham.
Presenter: Clive Anderson
Producer: Caitlin Sneddon

Craig Revel Horwood on how his Strictly baddie persona earned him his pantomime villain break as well as being rammed by a trolley at the supermarket.
Comedian and Taskmaster competitor Chloe Petts on how playing in goal as a teenager set her up for a life in stand-up and how bean-eating is her superpower.
Si King on writing his first ever cookery book without his Hairy Biker partner and what Dave Myers might make of his meatball recipe.
Plus music from Roachford, 90s star out on the road this winter with Jools Holland and Mike and the Mechanics as well as Hue and Cry.
Presenter Stuart Maconie
Producer Olive Clancy
Assistant Producer Lizzie Foster
Content Assistant Sam Nixon
Technical Producers John Cole and Jack Morris

Clive Anderson is joined by 'Modern Family' star Jesse Tyler Ferguson who is taking on the role of Truman Capote in Tru by Jay Presson Allen at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Tim Minchin on the 15th anniversary of the hit musical Matilda, novelist Kate Mosse on her new book celebrating the wonders of Autumn and comedian Harriet Kemsley who is currently on tour with her stand-up show Floozy. There's also music from cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson's new album 'New Roots'
Presenter: Clive Anderson
Producer: Jessica Treen